Summer flows like a barefoot river,
Winding, wet, and wild.
She stomps and dances while you sleep,
Splashing out lightning-bug-dragonfly dreams into the night.
Summer is muddy brown in the rain,
Bigger and more alive,
Romping over rapids and diving down falls,
Whooping, wet-haired, bright eyes flashing in the mist.
Summer’s thunder rumbles out,
And steam rises from her skin.
She dozes with wrinkled clothing in the sun until
August arrives with charcoal and kerosene scent,
Melting marshmallows at dusk, laughing long into the night.
Summer smells Autumn coming,
Crisp nights and cool leaves blowing, school bus drivers yelling.
Hugs, kisses, tears, long goodbyes and gone.
Green grass eyes and sunshine hair, back again next year.