Chicago Summer

Florescent pinks and greens
are the sidewalk chalks we wield
over hula hoop circles
in well worn lawns
with our brown feet
flying above the sprinkler
swooshing through the turquoise
wading pool in my
frog patch bathing suit

Nana beckons with pretzels
in wax paper
from the dim kitchen of the town house
She warns me to stay out of
the shatter glass, garbage can, black paint
alley way
and I do
smelling lavender lilacs
eating purple popsicles and chewing grape gum
Dancing in the blue green water color afternoon