"I love summer and I hate that it's leaving. I'm one of those sun worshipping boyz!" says my buddy Chuma.
Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated as the symbolic end of summer but considering the 100 degree temperatures just last week, you can't prove it by me. As disgustingly hot as it was just two days ago, it seems as though the summer is continuing to rage at full force, and at a glance, it also seems as though the sun might actually worship Chuma instead of the other way around. But I guess everyone's entitled to their own opinion!
On the other hand, today's temperature is 65 degrees - drastically different from the hellish weather that I had to endure last week. Maybe the "what a difference a day makes" idea of Labor Day has some validity after all. I know I certainly won't be disappointed to see the BITCH called summer leave - at least for another year if not forever!
For the record, I am not one of those people who is never satisfied always complaining throughout the year about it being too hot in the summer and then too cold in the winter. Quite the contrary! I love the loveliness of fall, the wonderful soups and cozy fireplaces of winter - wow, I love EVERYTHING about winter, and I find the showers of spring perfectly MARVELOUS! But summer ... UGH! Even as a child, I disliked summer but only pretended not to because it wasn't cool for a kid NOT to like summer.
I hate pesky flies and I've had enough itchy mosquito bites this year to last a lifetime. I don't care if Billie Holiday and Tallulah Bankhead came back from the grave and invited me to their barbecue picnic - that's just one more outdoor event that I would not be attending. I hate the blazing sun and temperatures so hot & miserable that I can't breathe. I hate feeling like I'm withering by degrees to the point of melting away or throwing up. And now that I'm allergic to sweat, I hate the rashes that break out on my forehead.
Okay, so I've used the word hate in the last paragraph too many times, but there's one thing that I know I LOVE about summer and that's the half-naked brothas! I think everyone knows that about me by now! My friend Chuma might be able to chew up the scenery on the beach in his red bikini drawz but I personally can't wait to chew up the summer and SPIT IT OUT!
Chuma Christopher-Hicks Marshall is a poet, author, publisher and aspiring improvisationalist. He is married to Dammeon Hicks-Marshall and they live in Atlanta, GA.
Well, I must admit that the late Spring and summer going into early fall is my time. I once worked my ass off to save up enough money to take an extended vacation from mid-May through the 1st week of October. Did what I wanted to do, read, write, lots of writing, museums, sleeping late, all that good stuff. I like that period 'cause one can shed coats and jackets for shorts, tanks and sandals and I do love wearing sandals.
Now, for the dude in the photo above, DAMN, boy is full of juice. Brutha man is tight and whoever got that on lock, got something good. I know his partner don't ever look anywhere else. What he wants is right there. Lucky man!
Posted by: Greg | September 05, 2011 at 11:28 AM
LOVE me some Chuma
Posted by: thegaytekeeper | September 05, 2011 at 01:07 PM
Corey, since Chuma is married it would have been nice to show him AND his spouse.
Posted by: elg | September 05, 2011 at 02:31 PM
I take it that's Chuma in the pic..?? Sweet Jesus!!!
Posted by: Fabian Thomas | September 05, 2011 at 06:34 PM
OMG! I am blushing, blushing, blushing. Thanks guys for the compliments; y'all so sweet. And thanks Corey for using my picture in such a flattering light. I feel so honored to headline your article in this way. I can't stop giggling; my cheeks are incarnadine. I haven't blushed this much in forever! LOVE YA!
Posted by: Chuma | September 06, 2011 at 10:29 AM
"Corey, since Chuma is married it would have been nice to show him AND his spouse"
You're right, ELG. Especially, if he's built like Chuma.
You know, Corey, when I was a child (a real one)I used to love the summer. Heat didn't bother my little fat body at all-- spending summers down in south Georgia and central Florida (nothin' but a swamp back then). But after years of heavy drinking--well, now I can't stand the thought of June, July, August AND wet September. It's a shame. Our people are supposed to be able to stand the heat (that's why the motha' fu.kas brought over us here).
Oh, the heavy drinking did involve booze.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | September 06, 2011 at 01:57 PM
I love that my friend COREY and my friend CHUMA are such good FRIENDS! YAY AND AMEN!
I love Chuma and I love this photo, but ICK to summer for me. I am a fall baby, all day everyday! I love the breeze of a fall day. I love the crispness of the air and I love when you can turn off the heat AND the air and open windows and feel God moving! I love it when it's sunny but cool enough to need a sweater and then the day makes you want to hold or be held and you don't need anything but AIR and SPACE and THE COLORS OF AUTUMN!
Posted by: TheRevKev | September 07, 2011 at 12:53 PM
@Revkev! You used the word "love" SEVEN TIMES in your comment! I LOVE you for that ALONE! I love it that you have that ability to TURN THE BEAT AROUND all the time - all day every day!
Okay, fall baby, your birthday was last week and mine is this week, so I TOTALLY GET IT!
Posted by: Corey | September 07, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Happy Birthday Corey! Many Happy Returns!
Posted by: Greg | September 07, 2011 at 11:28 PM