Summer Skin

The towel floats in the wind as I force my tired arms to spread it evenly over the grass. As I lay down, prickling shivers run down my back and I can feel the tenderness of my sunburnt skin.

The sand at the foot of my towel, leading to the gentle river, sticks between my toes, and I begin to think I'd like to be in the saltwater. Pushing it away with my outstretched palm. Lazily propelling myself with a kick of my feet.

Then, the stubborn grass sticking against my forehead, I think of the cool water rushing past my body. Of the beach earlier that day, waves slamming against my feeble limbs. Standing and tumbling. Resurfacing and falling once again. Finally, my toes nudge a sandbank, and I stand with the midday sun warming my shoulders. Beads of water fall from my hair. I breathe deeply, and smile, unaware of my burning skin.

Back in reality, my back prickles with pain once again.

I pull myself up, heading for the soothing river. Dogs and their owners walk idly along the path. Kids with sunbleached hair bombie off the jetty. My Dad's snorkel juts out of the water, a fluro green and silver beacon.

I wade into the river and dive. Gliding through the water just as I'd imagined. I roll over, blowing a stream of bubbles through my nose and marvel at the sun, it's edges blurred innocently by the saltwater.

The ache in my back subsides, and I think perhaps I'd like to stand with the sun behind me, letting its rays warm my shoulders. Beads of water falling from my hair. I resurface, breathe deeply, and smile, momentarily unaware of my sunburnt skin.

So, it's not the best thing I've ever written, but it's from a place I'd rather be, sunburn and all! Which I know is a terrible thing to say, but man I'm missing summer, and seriously craving a trip to the beach. Anyone up for a swim in some bloody freezing saltwater? :P