The Summer of Small Things

Summer 2024

Flowers,

Picking, drawing, pressing

petals between waxy parchment

And an ancient dictionary.

Berries,

Plucking, popping, baking

birthday cobblers and simply savoring

Their tangy taste on our tongues.

Walks,

Buggy, muggy, magical

around our neighborhood and in the woods,

Sidewalks and roots massaging our toes.

Birds,

Watching, listening, identifying

the colors of feathers, the calls echoing,

a kingfisher's Shinkansen body zipping by.

Art,

Painting, mixing, imagining

as we take notice to books and nature

crafting our own interpretations in response.

Bees,

Working, buzzing, gathering

we watch our bees hustle and we learn

as we lick sticky honey off our fingers.

Music,

Dancing, resting, laughing

the patchwork quilt is spread on the ground

and the sun kisses us gently good night as we usher in the weekend.

Water,

Bubbling, gurgling, splashing

Our clothes are soaked all summer

As we stay cool using whatever sources we find.

Summer,

Sunshine, rosy cheeks, giggles

Waking up with porch mornings and afternoon ice cream

And evening walks.