The Summer

(inspired by Long Afternoons, composed by Ben Hantoot)

There is a little bit of exposed skin
from the burn
of being out in the sun for long

in this humid heat
these long afternoons
of endless dusty winds
and whirring fans

That which was raw pink
and soft to touch
and hurting once
as if impaled,
over the summer
has got a dull coat of brown
and worries me less
even during a casual brush
with wall or skin

Over time, I think it will heal
a new skin shall spread to cover
this summer shall be long gone
winters and autumn shall visit
maybe a spring
maybe other summers
and other sunburns
and their varying degrees of heat

Or maybe, this will remain
a scar between skin folds
when old and worn
still constantly reminding me
of that summer I could never forget.