Summer Days... Poem by RIC BASTASA

the sun comes up
finally
summer is summer
when it is so hot

we take the sacks of
rice
some have already sprouted
and dry them
on the yard

it is a fine day
you say it while enjoying the comforts of
the roof
inside the house
still watching the soap opera

outside
the backs are deep brown
bare
bowing down to the rigors of
work
lest we have nothing to eat
for the rainy days

indeed
we are like the ant empire
the queen ant does not
work
the soldiers do the chores
everyone has
work to do

i have another important
matter to talk
about this arrangement
but no
i will say it when Berto recovers
from his depression
or when Marta finally returns
from her
infidelity tour...