Summer in the City

A Summer breeze drifts over the river,
sweeping under bridges into wide streets.
bringing scents of the sea to the city,
where fragrant flowers in baskets hang
from tall lampposts.

Sunshine slants through a narrow gap between
chain store and boutique. It touches bare arms,
glints off dark glasses and dazzles dusty
office windows. Cold stone monuments
bask in it’s warmth.

Cool under his canopy the butcher
trims a sirloin; and from the market hall
bouquets of fish and fruit drift on warm air
to blend with the tempting aroma of
fresh ground coffee.

The warm air shimmers over traffic lanes,
sweats in tunnels where diesel trains travel;
And in pedestrian precincts girls wearing
summer dresses and men in sandals
hope the good weather will last
over the week end.