Atlantic City Summer

Ice cream and ices, ice cream and ices Get your fudgywugies here is screamed Heard clear emerging from the tunnels Under the boardwalks promenade shadows Loud and clear come good humor men in white Ridiculous in their black shoes heavy like iron Trudging through hot sand like mad men Hunched over with the weight of Summer Ready to huckster the kiddies for money Already waiting with quarters in hand Radios dial up Beatles for transistor sisters souls Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band plays on Over sounds of ocean spray and cozy blankets The surface of the sun smiles on happy afternoons Cones melt chocolate droplets on wet bathing suits Blue lips of children, their bodies shiver, after a dip They toss peanuts at pigeons who leave droppings As presents after target practice then continue cooing Colorful kites fly with the seagulls and dollars Waved to entice those who come out from the shadows Sun lotions and potions of peace and love sold at a price Not always a bargain Pretty tan girls in stunning string things Left to the imagination as clothing Dotted bikinis in yellows and pinks on parade Follow life guards into the surf for protection Held together by muscles and love Not only tides wave good-bye to Summer Mobsters wear concrete shoes for a dip Smoke their last cigarette before “falling in” Go for a swim with the fishies Sink to the depths of the city