Late summer walk
by Elouise
Walking this morning before clouds burst
shoes squish on wet pavement
The voice of a young child
protests briefly behind me
My breath flows
even and relaxed
Vacant parking spaces
wait by neighbor’s houses
The school yard is silent
covered with soft green grass
Along its perimeter
mushrooms rise from wet soil
Large glistening white platters
appeared overnight
Burnt orange cups with rusty upturned sides
hold remnants of last night’s rain
Tiny flat-tops of brilliant red-orange
decorate the ground next to
lime-green mossy tree roots
Crickets and cicadas fill the air
with nonstop late summer music
Small acorns plop to the asphalt drive
forerunners of thousands yet to come
Beside the cemetery linden trees
heavy with yellowed pods
release small round seeds
hanging from thin stems
Here and there weathered headstones
display small American flags
Remnants of wars past
and the birth of yet more sorrow
The sweet song of a Carolina wren
floats through the air
A train whistle echoes in the distance
Blue jays protest
Robins sing
Catbirds defend territory
Squirrels chatter
The end of summer approaches
Am I ready?
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 15 August 2017
Image found at davesgarden.com
Response to WordPress Prompt: Willy-nilly
Wow. I really liked this. I usually zip past Poetry, but am so glad I paused to read this. It makes me want to go for a walk, and a sense of panic that summer is drawing to a close.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s never too late! Besides, fall is spectacular, too. Thanks for the comment and the follow. 🙏🏻
LikeLike
No, I am not ready! Haunting and beautiful poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Meg. Not being in academia anymore has its rewards…though I’m not excited about the return of school buses and other vehicles to our quiet neighborhood!
LikeLike
what a beautiful walk you’ve taken us on ❤ I hear the cicadas outside my window, a long drone that never ends but I am so used to it now, if they were silent It think I'd be uneasy ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right about the drone that never ends! At least not yet….:( Actually, I’m accustomed to it–sort of like that white (why white?) noise that shuts out all other distractions! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think white noise from when I was a kid and the tv stations went off the air….ha, remember those days? and there’d be white fuzz and that noise 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person