Now that Summer is finally here
and temperatures are beginning to sear
and every day is hotter than most
and the sun is making everything toast
rain is just a thing of the past
I can’t remember when it rained last
and when it did it was over quick
nothing that was going to stick
just a shower, a few drops of rain
and then back to 100 degrees again.

We still lead an outside life
as used to the heat with nary a strife
start early before the heat of the day
makes it impossible to go out and play
for no one wants if they have a choice
unless of course if you have no voice
and outside work is what you do
with anything else you haven’t a clue
so you slap on the lotion and fill your jug
drink plenty of water lots more than a mug
and brave the heat a living to make
and everything is for your family’s sake.

Me, I take walks in ninety degrees
hoping like hell to be under the trees
knowing that around the next bend
could well be a field or a hill to ascend
either out in the open the sun blazing down
or climbing steeply to reach up to the crown
hoping that shade is a coming up fast
and maybe this hill will be the last
sweat pouring off me my clothes are all soaked
near the end now and I’m getting stoked
as I finish yet another hike
out on the trails with the end in site.

Why do I do this I have to ask
an answer comes forth from my distant past
when as a kid I spent my time
out in the woods with a friend of mine
and together we covered many a mile
close to Nature’s wonderful smile
and learned about how Nature does show
us the way forward in case we don’t know
we spent hours upon hours in her company
and seventy years later she is what I see
and if I could do it all again
my whole life would not be the same
instead I would be as a young kid
and work close to Nature my life to commit
in preserving everything she unfolds
working for her was one of my goals.

Alas, an old man I have grown
my dreams and my thoughts I have not shown
except in my walks and the stories I tell
and the pictures I take and wishing like hell
that I could do it over again
and work with Nature which sounds rather tame
for what we are doing to this earth
troubles me more than a dearth
as no one is more ignorant than man
who was not here when it all began
but thinks he owns the universe
and can take what he wants with no reimburse.

One day Mother Nature will see
just what in all reality
Man is inflicting in so many ways
and will take time off to reappraise
her goodness will end and she will defend
what little is left to the bitter end
to rise again at a later date
this experiment over for failures sake
as Man is not worthy to make this his home
he came, he wasted and now he is gone.

Be kind to your Mother…