I went out today to the grocery store
as I have many times before
but before I got into my truck
I started the engine and with any luck
the A/C would cool the inside down
comfortable for me to drive downtown.

When I jumped in it was nice and cool
and my Audiobook is my favorite tool
to listen to stories as I drive along
much better to me than to hear a song
which is so much more noise so I prefer
the narrator telling stories that I hear.

Getting out of the truck to go in the store
the temperature was not like before
no portable A/C to keep me cool
hot air blasting from the sun is cruel
to walk as fast as I can to the store
and feel the cool air as I close the door.

I stay in the store as long as I can
walk around buying stuff as the prices I scan
then to the check out I wheel my cart
and chat with the lady as she does her part
as she loads my bags and on my way
I head for the door not pausing to stray.

I walk back out into the heat
a blast from a furnace as I hit the street
and pushed the button to start my truck
so it would cool down and with any luck
would not be as hot inside
instead of feeling like a hundred and five.

I loaded my stuff into the cab
and stashed the cart and quickly grabbed
the handle to the drivers door
to get in the A/C just like before
stop for a latte before driving home
in for the evening no more to roam.

Written 7/21/2018