The sun shone today
And the whole world came out to play
Boys in flip-flops half-heartedly chasing Frisbees
And bees buzzing dreamily over dazzling flowers
Slow-motion rowers gliding under weeping willows
And swans drifting lazily in their rippled wake
Girls in bikinis slow-roasting like chickens
And students with unopened files on their laps
Entwined couples whispering under shady trees
And friends in tangled knots on vermillion grass
Mums in sun hats making bubbling conversation
And overheated kids exploding like popcorn
Engrossed bookworms sitting on portal benches
And swaying tramps thirsty for a drop of kindness
Dads in shades kicking footballs, beer in hand
And panting dogs on the neighbourhood gossip trail
Joggers and bikers glistening with beaded satisfaction
And me, watching and waiting, writing and wondering …
Today summer unfurled
And playing was the way of the world
— Wayne Visser