Summer is upon the city again, and this time it’s far worse br The people of the city consider it as God’s vile curse br Of course, the excessive, oppressive heat is no sudden thing br Something called “global warming” has added to this suffering br br The sun beats down on its victims, and keeps spitting venom br On the hapless inhabitants of its seasonally sizzling kingdom br People pray to the Almighty for a much-needed April miracle br But all that they receive from Him is a sweltering debacle br br The citizens crave for water and drinks, to remove their weakness br The water-tankers and juice sellers do rip-roaring business br Even the swimming pools and clubs laugh all the way to the bank br Refreshed and rejuvenated patrons do not find anyone else to thank br br No child plays on the roads now, they all stay indoors br And wait desperately for summer to change its course br But alas! The mercury touches 42 degrees on the Celsius scale br And the children have no other option, except to hysterically wail br br The tempers of the inhabitants go several notches higher br When they learn that rats nibbled at the main electricity wire br Everyday, for a few hours, their cool and patience is tested br And the doubts regarding the civic body’s negligence are rested br br The rich and the middle-class bask in the cool comforts br Of the air-conditioners and fans in their personal forts br But the poor, disadvantaged beggars and labourers are not so lucky br Deaths due to heat and sunstroke are reported with alarming regularity br br Rich or poor, all have the same prayer on their lips now br They want July to arrive fast, and the summer to take a bow br But time will take its own course, and till then everyone br Will have to face the wrath of the sweltering sunbr br RONY PATRAbr br