I am 4 
A summer day is spent outside 
In the harsh sun
Boiling
Hot 
The woman at the stove
Yells
Loud 
Harsh
You’re too dark

I am 6
A summer day is spent outside
under the shade of willow trees
Loving
Cool
The woman at the stove 
Smiles
Soft
Sweet 
The flowers are pretty

I am 9
A summer day is spent outside
With friend-like brothers
We sweat
Laugh
Play
The woman at the stove
Walks away from her place
Whisks me away
No boys

I am 12
A summer day is spent outside
My brothers invite me
Come swim
It’ll be fun
Denied
The woman at the stove
Sees
Smiles 
That’s my girl
Our hearts ache

I am 15
A summer day is spent outside
Sat on a shaded swing
Boring
Lukewarm
I see the woman at the stove
I am so tan 
She laughs,
Head tossed back,
Shaking left and right,
Still beautiful
A glass breaks 
The laugh is heard again
We have grown

She is 5 
Her summer day is spent outside
In the harsh sun
Boiling
Hot 
Her skin darkens
She worries about the woman at the stove
You look amazing
I stir the pot