Seeking Shade

When I walked in the sun this afternoon, I felt it’s heated warmth 

and sought the filtered shade of even the thinnest branch. The 

shade of a building, a large rectangle that spilled onto the 

street, was an improvement,

but to cross walk on the pavement 

there was not even a sliver of shade. 

A warm wind ruffled my hair and 

cooled my skin. Riding the bus in air-conditioned comfort 

my quick errand was accomplished. 

Returning home, I repeated the dance of 

seeking shade that ended with a cold drink of water.

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.”

~ Russell Baker, writer