Has Summer Arrived? Poem by Deanna Samuels

The day began with a cloudless sky,
a warm fresh feel in the air.
As morning moved on, temperature rose rapidly
and by midday, found the day wrapped
in a cocoon of real summer warmth.

Drove to the lakeshore to sit a while, enjoy quietness and the view.
Found dozens of townsfolk enjoying cloudless blue sky and hot sun,
spreading out on the sandy beach, many families picnicking,
sunbathing, relaxing along water's edge.
Youth played beach ball, laughing, having a good time,
sandcastles being built by eager youngsters,
filling pails of sea water to pour into the castle moats,
finding it a never-ending task as watching the water drain away.

Light breezes shimmied the new season's fresh green foliage
and walkers took advantage to stroll along the lakeside path
while gulls fluttered and flew above then diving and floating on the lake.
Large cawing crows perched and watched from sturdy tree boughs.
The calm water of Lake Ontario shimmered in the sun
enticing a family to sit on two large blown-up plastic floating birds,
a white swan and a bright green duck, both bobbing up and down
though keeping a yard or two from the shore, the tide quite forceful.

The long narrow concrete pier had a number of walkers stroll to its end
where a small narrow lighthouse became the goal to reach.
A buzzing drone flying in immediate area operated by nearby sunbathers;
who knows, was it filming or just being used for the sheer playfulness of it all
just as families enjoying beech games, children playing, others relaxing.
The ice cream van, too, played its magic tune to attract children to come, buy,
enjoy a delicious creamy cool cone or a refreshing freezing flavored ice-lolly.
Today, after a cold, icy winter, a day of real summer warmth and relaxation.


Written at Lakeview Beach, Oshawa - 30th May 2026