These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Heat Wave

How do we live in heat so strong?
It makes us tremble when we step.
How can we brighten life in song,
while sweating ev'ry trudging rep?

"We must have water." "Aye, 'tis true."
"We must have shade to often rest."
"The sweatiness, that's through and through
is better than no sweating's test."

I walk outside and gasp for breath.
I wipe my brow and wipe, again.
I pray the Lord will keep from death
all souls, that must traverse this strain.

So many months ago the cold
was colder than my mem'ry serves,
but now the heat of summer's bold,
that makes some steps a weary swerve.

We pray for cooler days' return,
while sitting underneath the spray
with sunblock, that we neither burn,
nor soak the skin to wrinkle away.

We thank, Thee, Lord, that ev'ry night
You give relief in cooler times.
Our sleep doth come as minds are light.
Awakened, quench our thirst with limes.

The heat wave gives us weary days
to warn us of the lasting pain.
Without the Lord and what He says,
no lasting Hope will we see plain.

by Jay O’Toole
on August 8th, 2023