Too Hot to Handle

It's 107 degrees outside.

The kids want Tacos for dinner.

We need ingredients from the food market

I agree to head to our local Target

The car is baking in our drive.

The grass has turned to cinder.

Flowers have shriveled up and died

Animals hide in the shade til dark

Fallen leaves have dried

Lack of water has left its mark.

Nobody ventures out in this heat

I must be mad, I think in defeat.

Rays of sunshine burn our skin

as we leave the airconditioned house

Squinting faces run to the car

Keys wrrrp and we launch inside.

It's hotter than an oven inside

We yelp and turn back onto the drive

Hold on, let the aircon do its thing

I crank the cold on high

The blowers make a squeal then die.

"Mommy, do something!" My son cries.

I twist the button on and off

The blowers make a whooshing cough.

"Maybe it'll work when we're moving?"

We can't stay in this heat for long.

"Get in. Let's go. Be strong."

Wind the windows down, it will be cooling.

The steering wheel is sizzling

Belts on kids, safety first.

The aircon vents are trickling

I touch the wheel with a curse.

We get a respite on the freeway

The outside wind whooshing past at speed

Clouds gather in ominous gray

Our exit is coming and we proceed.

We pull into the car lot as the rain attack

We make a run for shelter in the store

Wet missiles launch on tarmac

Cool air greets us with its gentle roar

We buy the food we need

It's Taco Tuesday, yes sirree!