May day celebration but it is still cold

my parents both wearing mid-season coats.

father has too many layers on, 

Including blazer that was on him at his last trip years later. 

I always thought that it was too cold of a day, 

highly unusual for South Russia.

don’t raise your brow, 

there are warm climates in this monstrosity of the geography.

No one was talking about climate change back then.

I am only two and a half years old, 

dressed in light pink little coat, knit leggings and a hat - 

unripe but already bursting strawberry, 

squinting my eyes in disapproval of a sun, 

in fact, I still often do. 

Sea of red flags in a park behind us serves as a time anchor – 

still communism, but at its last laps. 

It is 1988 Soviet Union.

Soon this land will delve into another chapter of chaos, 

but for now, my parents are young, happy, and newly married 

with a baby who is looking exemplary and slightly too serious.

Contemplating exactly what 

while squeezing a big plastic Mikki Mouse paw with their hand?

I always had a reason, 

in fact, I still often do.