Kana

14

Summer Evening Escapades

On summer evenings, when the orange sun was suspended in the horizon,
Brother and I would duel on the green.
Brandished blades and shields of bronze,
The lust for blood, and laurels to be landed,
And one man's honor splintered, only to be sheepishly gathered and mended
For the next meeting.

On summer evenings, when the rain came down and pounded the soil,
Brother and I would sail treacherous waters.
The stinging taste of salty spray,
The reckless waves, ripped by roaring thunder
And, one ill-fated day, Brother's courageous, giggle-ridden death
By one-eyed pirates.

On summer evenings, when a magical mist darkened the sky,
Brother and I would venture into the Evil Forest.
Twisted bark and tenuous twigs,
Fear so fat that our feet faltered,
And the slightest rustle sending us running, abandoning our quest in the presence
Of a startled deer.

On summer evenings, when the first stars sprinkled the heavens,
Brother and I would return in triumph to our dwelling.
A wash in warm water, a well-made meal
A murmured prayer, a mother's moonlight kiss.
And a content night's sleep to prepare for the next orange sun,
The next summer evening:

And whatever adventure it would bring.