Karina Gardiola Lopez
Karina Guardiola-Lopez is a poet, educator, and author. Her works have appeared in New Jersey Bards (2024), New Brunswick Library (2023), Hive Avenue Journal (2022), and other publications. She’s featured at the NYC Poetry Festival, National Black Theatre, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and Bowery Poetry Club. For more information visit kglopez.com.
Summer Symphony (Poem)
The cicadas harmonize with the breeze
seagulls sing about the sea and the waves whisper my secrets
my name rolls off his tongue effortlessly
we share laughter and music
each with an earbud, connected yet apart.
Children’s laughter echoes from distant double Dutch and dancing
the soft hum of an ice cream truck fades away
we shake the sand off our feet and onto the concrete
dry seaweed crunches beneath our flip-flops
we admire the rings we purchased from a 25-cent machines
His chain clasps my ring close to his chest
while I wear his ring on my thumb
it is our sixth month anniversary
a symphony of summer sounds and sights
timeless as the tides