Cotton candy clouds

Above a sea of blue umbrellas

Ripples dance across the water

Specks of sand shine in the sun

Fish fall prey to loons and gulls

But outsmart the fishing rods

Couples walk, and children play

While music fills the humid air

Afternoon breezes ease the heat

As palm trees wave their fringe

Chameleons scatter; crows caw

Shadows grow long on the ground

A look, a sigh, a smile

A silly knowing glance

This yard of ours is heaven

Let’s drink a toast to us

Life’s full of ups and downs

And times can be so trying

But our backyard is simply bliss

On Sunday afternoon