As the exams wrap up, the sound of “happy holidays” fill the air. The rather terse and somber exam fever gives way to joy. Two long months without school sounds perfect. There is so much to do.

Friends part, with promises of letters and playdates. Trips are planned and executed. Summer drinks and foods make way to the table. Life is blissfully long and ignorant. Suddenly, the mood shifts without notice. Summer becomes drab and boring. It is too long and too hot. Is it time for school yet?

The two memories of childhood summers that stick to me include fruits and the outdoors. I used to climb up the guava tree in my grandparents place, sit on the branches, read a book and munch of freshly-plucked guavas. The other memory is sitting on the steps in the backyard eating watermelon and spitting the seeds.

In memory of my childhood summer holidays, a haiku

 

Excitement in air

Long lazy days to follow

A year has gone by

 

Time to experiment

Table tennis, rangoli

A hobby is born

 

Merciless heat waves

Rasna, lime juice, watermelon

Ripe mangoes too

 

Summer afternoons

Under the trees, reading books

Drooping leaves, bees, birds

 

Long letters to write

A destination to visit

Family to meet

 

Silent afternoons

Movies, board games, gossip, laughs

Friends to gather with

 

Wrapped in brown sheets

New books for school year to come

A label on top

 

Summer is too long

Countdown calendar on wall

Summer gets boring

I have a tough time coming up with childhood memories for letters M, N and O. Would love some recommendations/suggestion! Thanks

Coming up tomorrow I: Ice Cream.