Farewell Dear Summer

Where have I been?

I can only answer

that the words had left me!

As they do

sometimes...

or maybe they have followed me

at a distance

waiting for me to look around?

So I turned.

To see...it had become fall

and summer had fled

on its papery sun drenched wings

like egrets.

Left behind,

I am wistful,

melancholy...

grieving the things it takes with it.

The warm swampy smell of the lake,

rising like a fragrant steam

inviting and beckoning.

The long days of endless heat

and ways to play and stay wet.

The muted hum

of sounds while floating,

ears immersed in aqua.

The enchanting words and moments

that are called forward

while bobbing on our blue playground,

sprawled lazily about

on gleaming white seats,

toasting this and that with bubbles.

The brilliant reflection of red and yellow

and our dipping paddles,

a liquid ballet in the dawns light.

The desert doesn't have seasons

some will say,

true, not as dramatic as anywhere else,

with its desire to please

through hues of changing colors.

but ah... it is there

in the subtle beauties

that are gifted to the

ones paying attention

with watchful eyes.

Its in the light

and the way the water's color

deepens as if the putting on a heavy coat,

letting the heat sink and the chill rise.

It's in the Mud Duck's music

as they skim

the lakes surface in a chaotic chorus,

to escape that which interrupts

their serene drifting.

(Which is usually us and our canoe...

we can't seem

to resist the opportunity

to scatter and harass them.)

It's in that which is supposed to be green

and was before

the daunting days of high temps,

subtle displays of a lively perkiness,

as if to say "hey, look at me I survived

and am ready to shine again."

It's in the smile of my dog,

bounding mid morning

over cooled pavement, free and joyful.

Its in the color orange everywhere

and the anticipated smell of spice.

Its in the pointy hats and shelves

of bagged candy.

In Vincent Price's laughter and

roar turns and waz ups and

new dancers with cheers

for themselves and one another.

Its in the sky and the harvest moon,

torches filled and flames dancing

across the faces of friends

with new words.

But I will miss the hoop and board,

the water friends I must say farewell to,

my tan and the sunsets while being knee deep,

the purr of my boat prop taking me

out to the next adventure.

The music that says its been memorable,

the early morning race to do

it all, before the heat advances

from the east!

The days so long

and the light...so inexhaustible !

October.

It is both beginning and endings.

With a required vow to let "summer"

and all her wonders

...go!

She won't be held on to,

endless only in our imaginings

and the promise of another May.

One last look tho...

as I turn around

to take my words with me

and I think I can feel the whisper

of her fleeting wings

taking flight!

Pam Piper Rain