Friday 16 July 2010

simple things


Forget school, and scratchy woolen uniforms, and the alarm clock going off too early.
Here there is only the pleasure of simple things:

soft, slouchy clothes to wear
and bare feet,
sometimes rubbed down by sand

iced tea by the pool
and cold watermelon, a triangle held in the hand
with juice running down to your elbow

we eat with the appetite of birds, or babies,
little and often,
every meal an outdoor picnic


The sky is cloudless blue every day,
no threat of rain to chase us inside
and interrupt our sun-worship

We give thanks for dependable breezes
and other cooling things:
pool and sea and ice lollies

Not to mention chilled white wine
sangria, the local specialty
and cold beer, of course


And the very best thing?
(besides friends to share the fun
and a laughing, teasing father)

Lots of good books
and plenty of time to read them.




Sending out happiest high-summer birthday greetings to Christina . . .
who has made an art of simple things.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

What bliss
books and water
an excellent combo

so beautifully captured and expressed!

Polly said...

goodness this really is a perfect summer poem (unintentional poem?) wonderful, lazy days by the pool, and lots of books sound absolutely perfect, I hope you're having a great time...

for some reason your photos brought back memories of a french film by Francois Ozon with Charlotte Rampling. it must be the light and the summer pool, not the actual story

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Such an exquisite description of summer!

The Bug said...

I love how they're reading in every picture - that would be me for sure!

Sarah Laurence said...

Whoa, blog make over! That woke me up. I love the summer poem and images, especially since they include books. My daughter is reading voraciously too.

Somehow I missed your last post. Your garden is gorgeous! You make me miss an English summer.

Tracy Golightly-Garcia said...

Simple things are always the best to have. What would summer be without ice tea and watermelon?

Have a good week-end, Bee!

Best
Tracy :)

Sueann said...

Oh I love the pool shots!! I love the pool! I could go for a swim right now!
Hugs
SueAnn

Tess Kincaid said...

Summer just isn't the same without a house full of kids home for the summer....swimming pools and flips flops. I miss it.

David Cranmer said...

I could get some serious reading and writing done there.

Elizabeth Halt said...

And then when you lick the watermelon juice off your arm, you taste a hint of salt.

This reads like an ode to summer.

Unknown said...

Oh so heavenly, love summer.

Cait O'Connor said...

I love the last photo in the pool.
Happy holidays!

ArtSparker said...

You're in Spain? Looks like fun...

Meredith said...

Just beautiful. No worries at all in a sun-drenched, book-saturated summer. :)

TBM said...

Like like like! The perfect summer :-)

SE'LAH... said...

giving thanks for dependable breezes...aaah.

lovely list. one love.

christina said...

books by the pool! doesn't get much better than that.
thank you, for the b-day wishes.
xoxo

Lucy said...

How blissful. You timed that just right, just when the weather up here and in England turned inclement!

Shauna said...

Gotta love summer! Enjoy.

kath said...

This List. I love this list. the books in the water are the best!

Kristen In London said...

I just can't get over The Makeover! It's a lovely change, so fresh. Great, crisp photos. It's pouring rain here in Connecticut, which is actually a refreshing change, so I don't mind! Happy Summer!

Mr Bee said...

How nice to be back in the English garden of 8 July posting but.... the villa in Portugal IS summer.

Mr Bee

Meri said...

Perfection. Simple perfection. Books and plenty of time. Warmth. Sparkling water.

Relyn Lawson said...

I absolutely love your poem of a list. It makes me happy. This is one of those posts I'll read again and again.

Alyson | New England Living said...

Love it! The simple things are truly what make summer great. The poem and photos compliment each other perfectly.

mati said...

yes,books,family water fun and sunshine formula for a great summmer of reverie- so good to hear from you
salut de france
bethenais