I Tasted Summer

I tasted summer… It sure tasted good I was dying for a sip Of my iced coffee CHINO Only in Cyprus… My drug of choice Crushed ice with sweetened coffee OH....YES! In the evenings succulent watermelon treats Eating it all with relish Even the seeds what greed! I tasted summer… In that first dive into the pool How cool! Immersed in liquid delight Open eyes I touched the bottom of the pool Two dolphins painted there Let me have my way... I did a handstand Legs pointed straight up into the air The water running down my legs Straight up....I held on Weightless Weightless In my element My hair flowing around me As I did my strokes Diving in and out of the water A fish… That's how I got described by the one who watched, "Your so agile" Such exuberance I thought…OH…this is better... Better that a sensual high There was I Gliding in and out Water above, below, all around Carrying me Splashing around me loving me Playing...playing with my hair Saturating my soul With giddiness Muted sound Below the surface I swim underwater The width of the pool I thrust up for air Water slides off my body The sun kisses me Applauding the feat I taste summer It sure tastes good Salty scent in my hair My body slathered in sunscreen Sand clinging to me The beach My sensing feasting On every single thing... My eyes delighted A small September crowd Enjoys the breeze that creates the waves I wade into the water Intake of breath I squeal It's refreshingly cold The water laps at my legs crawling further and further up Making me gasp Finally.... I submerge I laugh I dive into the waves One by one I play... I push myself high My face to the shore They pound on my back I take a deep breath and let them roll over me Enjoying the roughness That "out of control" feeling This is greater than me And then I lie back I float Blue above White puffs: baby angel breath clouds I let the sun ravish The water carries me I forget everything My mind blank like the blue sky There is nothing but the NOW NOW And there am I Tasting summer Salty and sweet September treat And happy Oh, so, happy, am, I! Eileen Manassian