The rather large mouse takes up space beneath the tomato vines, all burning in the soil. The scrambled, twisted, turning of summers growth is brown, or blackened, some still bright green, but most a darkened faded tint, that left without a hint that the temperature was too much to bare.
The scarecrow, though smiling and seemingly happy throughout this time of intense and awful heat, stands facing North, behind the window of water spraying up, creasing his collar with cool pleasant drops of liquid running down his shirt, his arms, and wetting his hat, as he protects the okra, the tall mighty okra, blooming out and making a batch of pods a day.
Look behind you, Mr. Scarecrow, look at the birds playing in the puddles, the mouse running from here to there, the coolness of the water meaning all, to you and them.
Ralph Peck
Photograph by Ralph Peck
At home in Claremore, Oklahoma
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