City Summer...

Angel,

We are now in the early summer with its unsettled weather of sunny and hot or heavy rains...The city has sped up and is ground to a halt under the weight of traffic congestion and construction... Everyone is in a hurry to get nowhere fast...

Summer in the city can be stifling and oppressive... 

It is in the early mornings, before the heat of the day and our shadows are puddles beneath us, that we can find a serenity in this city. Those of us up before the sun move a little slower and appreciate the blanket of eerie quiet. Even the birds seem to be waiting in silence until some unknown signal that turns everything to crowding and chaos.

Today though we will not see much sun, but have our heads bowed or hooded against the rain. Although cooler, the rain makes everything stick to the skin and flattens hair. And because we cannot revel in it, all we want to do is to find some escape...

As I am pulled into the heart of the city, my mind drifts to where I would rather be - even with this exact same weather... to be on a canoe in the warm rain is magical - especially in the early morning... There is a noise and a quiet; motion and stillness, light and dark... water above you and below you... and a joy that bubbles up wanting to escape as laughter...

As my mind drifts, I see you in the bow with the paddle across your lap - back straight, bare armed and beautiful - your head tilted back to face the sky - your hair wet and sticking to your back. You turn to look back at me - brilliant dark eyes and a face smiling with such happiness that it is contagious. We don't speak because the rain makes it difficult to hear - but words are not needed.

We will play in the rain - drenched and goose-bumped - until we are driven back to shelter by weather, hunger, or fatigue. When finally under roof and dry, curled and wrapped in a large towel, I will bring food to you and coffee and myself. We will sit close and talk of anything and everything... and the glow of morning lingers..

Just me..