Lynn White

Africa Is Everywhere

The factories closed for two weeks each summer

and it was off to the seaside then!

They would head for the beach and hire a deck chair

there were no sun-beds back in those days

and there they would sit on shell laden sands,

the women in cotton frocks 

and the men in grey flannels, sandals with socks

and a sleeves rolled up, open necked shirt,

there were no tee shirts back then

and shorts were too daring for the over twenties.

And most likely it was too cool in any case.

The sun could be bright though

so the women had a straw hat ready,

but this was too exotic 

and extravagant for the men,

newspaper fashioned into a sailing boat shape

was de rigour for them.

And so one way or another 

eyes were shielded

from the occasional brightness.

Nowadays the sun has grown angry,

too bright for our eyes.

It rages fiercely threatening all in its view.

Africa is everywhere now

and soon sun-beds will be out of fashion.

It’s too hot now,

too darn hot.

First published in Alternate Route, Issue 8, October 2022

Burning Up

The sun has risen

and it’s burning,

burning up 

everything.

And I’m raising my arms

to worship

or plead.

Not sure which.

Praise or prayer,

perhaps they’re the same.

That’s my thought

for the day.

Quite profound,

I think,

for the day when I’m sure

I’ll be going home.

What do you think?

Are we of the same mind?

Great minds thinking alike again.

Come, it’s time

to go.

Hold my hand.

First published in I Become the Beast, Spring 2023

Sunny

The sun is burning

melting away

falling 

full 

of blown glass

leaving 

the earth alone 

to shine

alone.

First published in Fevers of the Mind, Ekphrastic Challenge 12, June 2025