Barefoot Summer

It’s summer. I love summer. Except when I hate summer. Honestly, summer is my absolute favorite time of year other than Halloween (come on — costumes!) because everything is lazy and relaxed and there are more naps in my daily routine.

But I also hate summer. Summer is hot and sweaty. Summer includes mosquitoes and sunburns. Summer means that Math Man mows the lawn at minimum once a week, and it means that I never really want to venture outside because I’ll probably melt.

I don’t mean to dislike summer. I suppose it gets harder when you have kids. I know, I know. It should be so much more fun since my kids are here to experience it. And yes, for most of the time, it’s a lot easier and more fun with them. I see the world through their eyes, and I enjoy the simple things like 25 cent ice pops and a dip in the pool.

Our poetry theme this month is “Barefoot Days.” Here’s my stab at it.

Barefoot Summer

Barefoot means…

Summer
Bugs
Dirt
Worms
Sand
Pool toe

Barefoot means…

Burns
Itch
Cuts
Bruises
Ouch

Barefoot means
Summer has arrived
and the kids refuse
to wear their required footwear.

So, I’ll apply bandaids
and ointment
and lavender
and hugs
until shoes are back on
for school in
August.

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What do barefoot days mean to you?

Read what my buddies created, too, so you can see how they feel about this season!

“Barefoot Days” by Karen of Baking in a Tornado

“Barefoot with You” by Jules of The Bergham Chronicles

Tags: amwriting, barefoot, hot, poetry, summer