Extremes

Extremes
By Cheryl Campbell

I woke up real early, 'cuz I just had to go
outside and do yardwork; I needed to mow.
The grass was too wet
I couldn't mow yet
so I went back in the house feeling low.

I waited 'bout an hour, said, "again I must try"
so out I went and the ground, it was dry.
I mowed in the heat
and boy, was I beat
it was so hot I thought I would die.

The heat made me tired, the heat made me weak
I felt like a fire was burning my cheeks.
I couldn't just quit
and go in and sit
til the mowing of the yard was complete. 

I crawled in the house and jumped in the shower
I think I stayed in there maybe an hour.
The water was cold
so briskly bold
I was slowly regaining my power.

The water was cold, much colder than ice.
Upon my hot skin it had felt so nice.
But lo, and behold
after all had been told
in this freezing water, I was paying the price.

Was the heat all that bad, or did I just fake it?
I'm really so cold now, I just can't take it
I yelled, "Oh, wow!"
and grabbed my towel
as I dried off and ran for my blanket!