To my dearest Summer,

I know some folks complain about you,

about how sticky and humid July gets,

or how annoying the tourists are

during Lollapalooza or the Taste,

but lately I’ve been missing you bad.

I know we’ve had a mild winter

but I’m getting tired of wearing a coat,

and I don’t even have the heat lamps

on the L to comfort me anymore.

It’s been raining a lot, too

and I keep thinking that I can run out barefoot

and run in the warm droplets of spring,

but April is not nearly as warm as you.

Oh summer, how these weeks have punished me,

Stacked with projects and papers

and tests and quizzes all on top of my head

until I can no longer stand.

Please bring back my friends

so that we may loiter in your warm nights,

and take comfort in your green grass,

Taking respite from budding adulthood.

Summer, I know we’ve had disagreements,

but please come back soon.

I’ll put up with broken air conditioners

and every annoying Cubs fan

I’ll put up with everything and more