sunrise crept in unnoticed

no amazing illuminated clouds

no bright orange ball in the sky 

just a full blanket of uniform gray clouds

the waters of the bay were thoroughly disappointed 

unable to entertain us with any bright reflections

not even a breeze to dance over the water

the waters stood still holding their breath

gently leaning against the marsh

the lush green marsh grass of summer

has been repainted with fall browns and yellows

a large gray heron crouched on the edge of the marsh

his shoulders slumped as he stares and the fish-less edges

he looked hungry bored and dejected

no boats on the bay pulling up crab pots

the watermen all stayed in bed snoring

its was going to be one of those dull uneventful Sundays

unless we could do something wild and crazy to combat the grayness

We decided to take a mystery drive down the lanes

taking random turns alongside harvested fields and smelly chicken houses

pausing to look how nature steadily reclaims abandoned properties

Tress literally growing through an old collapsed roof

I spotted a sign that it will soon be endless summer cruising in Ocean City

I remembered last year when we drove down Coastal Highway in our boring gray SUV

surrounded by brightly colored thundering hot rods and cruisers

under a blanket of dreary gray Sunday clouds

the streets were lined with hoards of spectators

we smiled and gave everybody the royal wave under gray skies

most people waved back smiling

You can still have fun without blue skies and the sun