24/52: summer solstice

I am not ready for the days to begin to shorten
the length is just right, now.

to show I am a reasonable man,
I am willing to leave things as they are:

the birds beginning their pre-dawn ballads -
and the sun streams through the coffee's steam;

the light extending past dinner,
and sunset to do dishes by;

the long arc of the day illuminating
all of the things that are still to be done.

I am not ready for the sweltering heat,
even as the time we have begins to roll back

toward the turning of the leaves,
the gathering of fruits.

Too soon the birds will fly
and nests will be empty

and I will be forgotten -
frost on the window,

the light, for the remaining hours
hard and joyless.


audio: https://soundcloud.com/mbonica/summer-solstice