Cross To The Shade

The asphalt hums under the noon sun

I watch the shadows pull back slow

Nobody is walking fast today

We take the long way where we go

Nothing to chase in the afternoon heat

Step right under the green canvas shade

Feel the cool air touch your skin

Watch the bright light start to fade

A delivery truck idling by the curb

Driver leans back with eyes closed tight

The city breathes in a quiet lull

Waiting for the quiet night

Nothing to chase in the afternoon heat

A sudden breeze moves through the trees

Ice melting fast in a paper cup

We do as little as we please

There is no hurry to the other side

We cross where the shadow stays wide

Just standing here till four o'clock

Listening to the old clock tick

Nothing to chase in the afternoon heat

The sidewalk cools down bit by bit

People step out from the open shops

Finding a wooden bench to sit

The sun moves past the yellow wall

We stay right here where shadows fall

Slow down now and let it be

Cool shade for you and me

Condensation drops down the side

A quiet clinking in the glass

Sitting still on the kitchen chair

Watching the quiet minutes pass

It is enough to just sit right here

Two cubes floating in dark amber tea

A small drop running down my hand

Cooler than I thought I would be

Outside the grass is turned to gold

The dog sleeps by the quiet rug

No one calls on the phone today

Holding onto the chilled glass mug

It is enough to just sit right here

The ice gets smaller minute by minute

A simple drink to quiet the mind

And all the simple peace within it

No place to go before the sun goes down

No reason to walk into the town

Just press the cold glass to your cheek

The calmest afternoon of the week

It is enough to just sit right here

Shadows stretch out long on the floor

A soft wind opens up the blinds

And blows gently past the door

The last cube disappears at last

The heat of the day is passing fast

Drink it slow and rest your eyes

Underneath the evening skies

Three blades spinning round and round

A steady hum against the quiet wall

I lie on top of the cotton sheet

Watching the afternoon shadows fall

Let the light drift across the room

The air moves back and forth again

Cool breeze landing on dry skin

Resting right where we have been

Dust motes floating in the yellow sun

The neighborhood is fast asleep

No loud noises on the street outside

Just a soft rhythm we can keep

Let the light drift across the room

The motor hums a gentle song

Turning left then turning right

All the peaceful afternoon long

There is a comfort in this low hum

Knowing evening is sure to come

Nothing urgent left to do today

Just letting the hours slide away

Let the light drift across the room

Paper on the desk stirs slow

The warmest hour has come and gone

And now the cool air starts to flow

Spinning slow until the sun sets down

Quiet peace all over this town

Close your eyes and hear the sound

Cool air floating all around

Someone brought the garden hose outside

Sprinkling water on the concrete lane

Steam rises up from the darker spots

Smelling like a sudden summer rain

We take our time when the day gets hot

Step on the damp stones one by one

Bare feet feeling the sudden cool

Safely hidden from the heavy sun

The neighbor waves from his front porch chair

He has a cold drink in his hand

We do not speak across the quiet yard

Some things are easy to understand

We take our time when the day gets hot

The wet road dries up in the wind

Leaving patterns on the gray stone path

Right where the green trees begin

It does not take much to feel alright

A splash of water in the bright light

A little relief from the heavy heat

Just walking barefoot down the street

We take our time when the day gets hot

The air turns soft as the sun goes low

Shadows stretch clear across the drive

And everything is moving slow

The pavement cools down underfoot

The garden hose is put away

Walk back home in the evening air

At the easy end of a long day

Golden stripes across the plaster wall

The afternoon is leaning in

I haven't moved from this soft bed

Since the quiet hours did begin

The best time is right here now

Lines of warm light above my head

Listening to the cicadas sing

Safe and quiet in this soft bed

A car rolls by with a lazy sound

Its shadow passes on the wall

I trace the lines with my quiet eyes

Watching them lengthen and fall

The best time is right here now

The ceiling glows like honey gold

A lazy wind lifts up the shade

A simple story quietly told

We spend so many days running fast

Hoping good things will always last

But lying still in the warm air

Is the sweetest feeling anywhere

The best time is right here now

The stripes turn purple then turn gray

The heat is softening at the edges

At the peaceful ending of the day

The ceiling goes dark line by line

Everything is feeling fine

Rest your head and let it go

In the quiet evening glow

The porch step is warm to the touch

I sit with my elbows on my knees

Watching the dust float in the air

Waiting for a little summer breeze

There is nowhere you need to be

Sit down on the wooden seat

Let the long afternoon unfold

Far away from the heavy heat

A cat walks past on the wooden fence

Moving like liquid in the light

It knows better than to run today

Saving its energy for the night

There is nowhere you need to be

Pour a glass of something cold

Watch the leaves sway in the yard

As the afternoon turns to gold

The clock inside strikes four o'clock

No reason to get up and walk

Just lean your head against the wall

And listen to the bird call

There is nowhere you need to be

The street grows quiet in the shade

A neighbor waters a flower bed

And all the busy feelings fade

Stay right here until the stars appear

Nothing to worry about or fear

Take your time and rest your mind

Leave the restless world behind

The beach is empty now at six

The umbrellas are all packed away

Only footprint trails in the sand

Left over from the busy day

The water is warmer than the air

Dip your toes in the gentle tide

The whole shore belongs to us

With the quiet sea open wide

A sea gull lands by the water line

Looking for scraps along the shore

The ocean makes a sleepy sound

Not loud or heavy anymore

The water is warmer than the air

Pink light reflecting on the waves

The breeze is soft against our face

In this peaceful place it saves

The crowd is gone back to their cars

We stay under the early stars

Walking slow in the cool damp sand

Holding a pebble in my hand

The water is warmer than the air

The horizon turns a subtle blue

Salt on our skin and peace in mind

Everything feels clean and new

Walk along the water's edge

Past the grassy wooden ledge

The ocean sings us right to sleep

In the quiet memories we keep

Green plastic coiled by the pump

I turn the brass valve to the left

Cool water springs out in a cloud

Of all its heavy summer weight bereft

It feels good to cool the ground

Droplets shining on the green lawn

Smell the wet earth filling up

Before the last light is gone

My bare feet sink in the damp soil

The heat leaves the soles of my feet

A simple joy in the back yard

Away from the crowded street

It feels good to cool the ground

Mist drifting softly in the air

Soaking the roots of the maple tree

Without a single rush or care

The sun is dropping behind the shed

Sky turning orange and reddish red

The water splashes on my toes

And all the lingering tension goes

It feels good to cool the ground

The air turns fresh and light again

We sit down on the wooden deck

Happier than we have been

Turn off the water at the tap

Sit down with a towel in your lap

The yard is cool and wet and bright

Ready for the summer night

The streetlights haven't clicked on yet

The sky is a pale washed lavender

Children's voices far down the block

Where the tall oak branches stir

The day stretches out so long

We are still sitting on the steps

Watching the swallows fly up high

While the quiet neighborhood rests

A lemon slice floats in a jar

Sweet tea on the wooden floor

No one is thinking about tomorrow

Or looking through the screen door

The day stretches out so long

The air is soft as a folded sheet

Laughter drifting from next door

Making the simple night complete

It feels like time has stood quite still

Over the trees above the hill

Nine o'clock and light remains

Washing away the daily strains

The day stretches out so long

Stars start showing one by one

The breeze comes off the river bank

Now that the heavy heat is done

Stay out late on the front porch

The day leaves a quiet torch

Warm light fading slowly out

Nothing left to worry about

The screen door catches the night wind

A faint metallic creak and sway

I lean my back against the frame

At the closing of a long hot day

Fresh air coming through the mesh

Blowing the dark hair off my face

Watching the crickets in the grass

In this comfortable quiet place

Inside the house is dark and still

Out here the night is coming clear

I hear a distant passing train

Sounding friendly and not too near

Fresh air coming through the mesh

The wood frame feels sturdy and cold

A silver moon begins to rise

As the dark hours unfold

No need to turn the lamp on now

The night knows how to rest somehow

Just prop the wooden door wide open

For the soft breeze we were hoping

Fresh air coming through the mesh

Cool shadows filling up the hall

A moth flutters on the screen

As the peaceful night hours call

Lean your head back on the frame

Forget the day and forget your name

The cool air washes over you

Everything quiet through and through

Fresh from the lake with wet hair

Walking inside on the cool floor

Leaving dark footprints behind me

From the hallway to the kitchen door

The tiles feel cold against my soles

A pleasant chill after the sun

Holding a pitcher from the fridge

Now that the hot day is done

Drip drop onto the polished stone

The blue towel wrapped around my waist

A glass of water poured right out

Sipped without a single haste

The tiles feel cold against my soles

Sun warmth still lingering on my back

Listening to the ice cubes clink

Finding the peace that I did lack

From the hot sun into the shade

The best trade that was ever made

Cold stone beneath my tired feet

Makes the whole day feel complete

The tiles feel cold against my soles

The afternoon is slipping by

A fan hums in the corner room

Under the quiet summer sky

Footprints dry up one by one

The swim was sweet, the day is done

Stay on the cool tiles for a while

And rest your spirit with a smile

A paperback book open on my lap

I have been reading page twenty-two

For almost half an hour now

With nothing else I need to do

It is okay to rest your hands

Let the pages stay right there

Listen to the insects hum

In the heavy summer air

A paper fan sways in my hand

Moving the air just a tiny bit

I watch a beetle on the step

And think how nice it is to sit

It is okay to rest your hands

The story can wait another day

The sunshine warms the porch floorboards

While all our worries fade away

Why rush to get things finished fast?

Let this quiet afternoon last

The words on the page can sleep a while

While we sit back and softly smile

It is okay to rest your hands

The shadow reaches the garden bed

A gentle stillness fills the porch

And cools the thoughts inside my head

Close the book and lay it down

The calmest person in this town

Barely moving in the shade

Grateful for the peace we made

Green striped canvas overhead

Blocking out the midday glare

A tiny round metal table

And a single folding chair

Safe inside the pocket of shade

Watching the busy world go past

A cold soda in a green glass bottle

Making the quiet moment last

The street sweeper rolls slowly by

Drying off in the blinding heat

Everyone stays under the roofs

All along the wooden street

Safe inside the pocket of shade

The glass is sweating on the tray

A small breeze turns the canvas flap

Keeping the heavy heat at bay

Crossing the road takes too much work

So I stay here where shadows lurk

In the good way, cool and deep

Where afternoon feelings sleep

Safe inside the pocket of shade

Ice floating in the fizzy drink

Nothing pressing on my mind

Nothing hard I have to think

Stay under the awning blue

The shade was made for me and you

Sip it slow and feel the calm

Like a cool and soothing balm

A rectangle of bright yellow light

Lying on the dark pine floor

It creeps across the rug so slow

From the open terrace door

Lie right down beside the light

Feel the warmth without the sting

Listening to the curtains rustle

And the quiet joy they bring

My arm rests on the polished wood

Cool where the shadow used to be

The house is resting in the heat

Just like the quiet dog and me

Lie right down beside the light

The dust motes dance inside the ray

A restful stillness in the room

At the middle of the day

The sun will move away by five

It is so sweet to be alive

Doing nothing on the floor

Not asking for a single thing more

Lie right down beside the light

The pine boards hold a gentle heat

A bird sings from the maple tree

Making the afternoon complete

The patch of light grows thin and long

Accompanied by the wind's soft song

Resting on the floorboards cool

Following the quiet rule

The asphalt gives off gentle warmth

My sandals make a rhythmic sound

Night air cool against my shoulders

Quiet all over the neighborhood ground

The long day is finally done

Walking easy through the night

Past the gardens full of roses

Underneath the pale porch light

A dog barks softly far away

Then settles down to sleep again

The trees stand black against the sky

Cooler now than it has been

The long day is finally done

A faint breeze carries damp green grass

No need to hurry up your steps

As the quiet houses pass

The street belongs to evening now

The heat has broken down somehow

Every step is light and free

Just as peaceful as can be

The long day is finally done

Shadows blend into the night

A gentle wind stirs in the leaves

Underneath the moonlight bright

Turn the corner to my door

Not feeling tired anymore

The cool night holds us safe and sweet

Walking home on quiet feet

A ceramic jug with blue painted flowers

Standing on the kitchen counter top

Filled with water from the well

Where the ice cubes never stop

Drink cold water before you speak

Let it wash the heat away

Clear and simple in a glass

At the end of a long day

Condensation coats the glazed clay

I press my fingers to the side

Feeling the chill inside the jar

Where the fresh cold waters hide

Drink cold water before you speak

Pour a glass for a passing friend

Sit together on the bench

Where the garden paths end

It is the simplest thing we have

To turn the summer day around

A cold drink in a shaded room

Where the quiet peace is found

Drink cold water before you speak

Feel the sudden coolness rise

Looking out across the yard

With happy lazy eyes

Set the blue pitcher back in place

A gentle smile upon your face

Cold water brings the quiet rest

Summer evenings are the best