The sun came in with glabrous qualms,
demanding a presence before the chilled seasons were done;
it seared past the clouds, and scared off the rain;
the may flowers withered into fertile beds again.
In the center of the town, though, the people rejoiced,
buying bathing suits and sandals for double last year’s average price;
salt and shovels were haphazardly shoved into garages and sheds,
and few ever questioned what implications were at hand.
Atmospheric energy shifts and economic fluctuations raged,
but the rush of dopamine disguised the ominous sun rays
as gifts from the universe; an annual collective win,
we may never truly know how different things could have been.