Summer Stay poem.

Summer Stay

Monday music nights.
Easy breeze blowing
from the Tennessee River
to cool our hot-day bodies.

Boats cruising
and trains moving across the distant bridge
reflecting massive connections in sunset water.
Dogs, children, picnics.

Jazz rippling through
a captured atmosphere suggesting years before.
Youth glimpsing a past,
but considering it nothing more than today.

Beach walks, mountain rides,
camp and horses.
Long porch days, hiding behind
trees and bushes and flowers

Summer stay!
Summer stay!

Autumn death.
Colorful misconception.
Beauty short lived.
Yellow-green, brown-orange leaves underfoot.

Cold foreboding rains.
Looking up and seeing
icy blue sky through barren limbs.
No place to hide.

Sleet and snow.
White deceiving beauty.
Short days.
Frigid dreaded walks.

Winter leave!
Winter leave!

Resurrect your buds
with pungent lush-green
apple smells and Redbud trees.
Bring romance.

Summer stay!
Summer stay!

Janet Brice Parker
2003