Mosquitoes buzz by; <br />the females thirsty for a fresh sip of human blood <br />They pick a vulnerable target, gathering around a wailing baby and <br />dive straight <br />for the soft and tender skin of the newborn <br />SQUAT! <br />The protective mother <br />shoos <br />the pesky creatures away <br />before there is a chance for contact In the meadow, bullfrogs <br />croak <br />a discordant tune <br />while lively crickets chirp <br />their harmonious melody <br />A soft breeze <br />pushes the tall reed stalks to and fro <br />in the boggy water <br />A celestial body emits a glowing radiance <br />upon the delicate earthen ground On the wooden verandah, Grandpa's rocking chair creaks continuously <br />A mild snore floats from a sleeping body <br />It rests on a swaying hammock, <br />slung between two peach trees <br />The hum of women's voices drifts gently away <br />Girls hush as a startling secret is revealed <br />in a traditional game of "Truth or Dare" <br />Little boys roll about in the wet grass <br />and their laughter echoes in the distance The drone of an electric fan is stifled <br />by the serene activities <br />of country men <br />The chinks of cool beer mugs ring through the air <br />as murmurs of "cheers" are carried away by the soft winds <br />A suffocating waft of smoke rises <br />from the addict's parched lips <br />V-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r <br />The whir of shuffling cards <br />ends <br />as the hand is dealt <br />and another uneventful round begins Far away, old cars crawl steadily <br />along the wide road, <br />occasionally beeping their horns <br />to waken other sluggish drivers <br />and stir life <br />back into an all-too-quiet town It is a peaceful midsummer night in the South.<br /><br />Anh-Thu Ngo<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/midsummer-night/
