summer senses.

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today it smelled like california.
the blinding sun baking the trees.
the dry dust.
the white, red, and yellow flowers burning, i imagine them melting, bright.
two men stretched out on a blanket, sweaty hands clasped behind their sweaty heads. taking a break from maintaining the plants as their bikes take a break from maintaining them.
unusually tan skin stretches as their heads turn to watch me run by.
bare shoulders and yellow hair.
my skin is hot and i can't help but enjoy. i let the sun take its toll.
fruit is splayed in the street, smelling warm. a piece of pork spits oil and bubbles fat on the barbeque, smelling ravenous.
an ajumma hauling a bag tied in a knot. decrepit and it makes me shudder.
kids in shorts. kids in summer dresses. kids with ice cream dripping down their face.
yelling english. screaming english. giggling at the brashness of their english.
a long line. i assume for a cool drink. no, for rice.
rice. rice. rice. rice. rice.
it smells like california.
but it looks nothing like it.

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