Summer Florida finally releases
And brings October gentle breezes
Hidden behind closed-eyes remembered
Vermont crisp apple mornings, leafy reds.
Fresh grass smells and oak musk leaves
Mix with foot-hurting acorned driveway,
Tinkling wind chimes, birds jay and mocking,
White ibises swing loops over the unpond.
Silent listening seldom broken
By othernoise, distant car, seldom child,
Way far dogs, laughing friends, only these
Break leafy shimmers of whisper.
Past starry night’s brightness hidden now,
But blazing half world away, half world to come
And dance again over my backyard.
Will I see them next apart or shared?
Sitting on lawn chairs long forgotten,
Cool air raising bumpy flesh on
Long white legs turning pink,
Freckled with Autumn warmth sun.
The dogs twist around, whining
And making dog laugh faces
As they wind through chair legs, bushes,
Brown eyes gazing with play and love.
I want to throw down a blanket and
Stretch next close to one other
Who will read to me and laugh,
Words touching like no other has.
As deep words are read to me,
A caring gift, mind-entering, sharing,
Giving more than I can return
But giving just the same.
I want no sharing of this day,
Just those here living sunny cool hours
Under oak boughs and mockingbirds.
Light shadow patterns on our bodies.
These gifts wake my heart and let
The old weight lift and offward fly.
If you will let me trust your song,
I will meet you in the backyard.