The metropolis blooms
in wavy heat
among paving stones,
glass and concrete
sprouting with brightly
coloured leisure-wear,
and parks are littered
with deckchairs,
where office workers
burn like toast
as they unfold
on the grass to roast.
Ties are discarded
in the office,
water fountains
and coolers promise
a sparkle in after-
noon aridity
for gasping workers
in the city.
Kim M. Russell, 11th July 2018
My response to Poets United Midweek Motif: City
Sumana is our host today and she shares quotes and poems on the theme of city. She asks what a busy city would look like in the eyes of a poet: would it be a dream or a nightmare? Is it easier to integrate and interact with others or is it a place for aliens? She asks us to include city air in our poems.
writing in north norfolk 
Interesting take on summertime in the city, with the imagery of the city like a weed/wild flower pushing through the various streets and sidewalks. Mind you, I can’t picture in parks, but beaches, yes. Guess, it’s my Canadian perspective reflecting here.
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I think my poem is a typically British image. 😉
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Cities must feel especially hot, I think. I can fel the burning like toast!
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I’m lucky to live in a cool part of the UK. Apparently London is stifling.
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I guess it is hot every continent when it is summer. Lovely write Kim! I imagine the frequent rain keeps things cooled off here and there. 🙂
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It was very hot on Sunday but it’s been overcast today. No rain yet – we need it!
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The roasting we’ve been going through fits this write very well. Lovely 😊
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Thanks Viv. When I see the temperature down south I am grateful for living in North Norfolk. It’s not been quite so hot up here. 😊
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Lucky you! It’s a bit cooler now…but let’s see how it goes.
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Hot hot simmering! I like how your poem captures many of the means of survival in summer city air. Thanks for the song, too.
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Thank you, Susan.
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With the sun out in summer the last place you’d want to be is sitting in it Australia’s cities! But it is good to know that Britain has had a warm summer at last!
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But it keeps disappearing up here in Norfolk!
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Love the phrase “wavy heat”. I can see it, feel it against my skin… (remember all the people sunning themselves across the street from my house).
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P.S. The other day, my Piano Man and I went to the park. On our way back, there were a bunch of people sunning themselves, just like in the image you shared. One woman was wearing a paper bag over her head. I stared. I couldn’t help it. I still don’t know why she was wearing that bag. I was terribly tempted to take a picture. But I was good, and just stared rather rudely. 😀
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I can imagine your hand reaching for your camera… I can’t believe you resisted the temptation. A paper bag! 🙂
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Thank you, Magaly.
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Love this summertime city air with such lively images. It feels so strange to think of your place having such hot summer. I thought it was only us, living in this part of India are suffering like this.
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Thank you, Sumana. Our heat is nothing like yours. When you are used to certain temperatures, anything hotter or colder seems extreme.
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Like the image of sprouting glass and concrete!!!
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Thank you, Rajani!
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A perfectly described summers day!
Anna :o]
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Thanks Anna!
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Goodness, I had to fan myself just reading this one! Great word capture!
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Thank you, Bev!
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This reminds me of when I worked across from Battery Park in Manhattan. Everyone went there at lunchtime. Great memories!
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Thank you, Sara!
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