Midday Sun

This poem was inspired by the memory of a very simple event--hanging out at a pool with a someone getting a tan on a very hot day. I wrote two versions of the poem: In the first version, the focus was exclusively on myself and my companion was treated as virtually nonexistant. In the second version, which is found below, I decided to include my companion in the poem ("I" became "we"). Unfortunately, the combination of "hot" and "burning" imagery along with the inclusion of the second party in the poem gives it a connotation that was completely unintended (woe!). Just goes to show you that you have to be careful about how you express yourself in poetic form.

Midday Sun

We had some sun
together,
she and I,
and darkened
in the heat
of the midday sun.
Some say
we ought not to
cook ourselves
in this way—
it is unnatural.
Perhaps,
but I would have
my moment in the sun
while I can enjoy it,
rather than hide
in the shadows
with those pasty
and sallow folk
who can never understand
the exquisite pleasures
of seared flesh
on a balmy summer’s day.

We will burn up
eventually,
she and I,
until nothing remains
but the memory
of that one
pure moment
we had
scorching ourselves
in the heat
of the midday sun.