The Wisdom of Others
Concerning Summer

"Hot summer has exhausted her intent
To the last rose and roundelay and seed.
No leaf has changed, and yet these leaves now read
Like a love-letter that’s no longer meant."

~~ Richard Wilbur (1961)

"Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."

~~ Henry James


"'Til It Comes Back Around"

push coconut sunscreen to back of cabinet; take last whiff;
scrub racks, hose down barbecue, roll into garage, cover;
stand naked in the rain, conduct thunder and lightning;
pack cotton dresses, store sandals, stow straw purse;
pull dying flowers, rake ground, clean flowerpots, cry;
peel off linen slipcovers, send them to drycleaners;
clean picnic basket, wash red-checked tablecloth;
eat final sun-warmed tomato and Bing cherries;
whisper goodbye to fireflies, crickets, lizards;
remove window screens, repair holes, weep;
take off wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses;
unplug cord, put away ice cream machine;
curse Persephone and pomegranates;
close windows, turn off fan; whimper;
stare directly into amethyst sunset;
tug the drapes, shut the blinds
flick off the lights, wither;
fold myself inside
myself and
wait.

© 2000 MJM

Featured on the Alpha Poet's Page at The Poet's Porch [8/00 to 5/01]



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