This Is the Summer of...

a poem

In response to Olivia Marstall’s post at A Stream of Words as inspired by others.

This is the summer of embracing tension,
of living in the in between,
of finding peace in the push and pull, 
of being between a rock and a hard place, 
but at least you’re not moving.

This is the summer of ebb and flow,
of there is no later and not right now, 
of riding the merry-go-round of life,
of here we go again - round and round-
don’t stop and get me off this thing.

This is the summer of interruptions, 
of stopping and starting, 
of projects begun and then abandoned,
of discovery and recovery and letting go,
finding an odd solace in the broken cadence.

This is the summer of new beginnings and old friends,
of adult children, far away, 
of secondhand adventures and long phone calls 
of joys shared and sorrows halved, 
whispering, “It won't be like this forever…”

This is the summer of endless youth, 
of chasing waterfalls under California skies, 
of fairytales and puzzles and Lego creations,
of swimming and popsicles and laughter 
heart crying, “Please let it stay like this forever…”

This is the summer of aging,
of greying hair and frown lines,
of weathered hands and tired eyes,
of owning them all and learning not to care, 
Wearing experience like a badge.

This is the summer of enchantment,
of Shakespeare in the park and chasing fireflies,
of rooftop bars and fine cigars,
of whiskey goodbyes before a Kentucky Sunrise, 
reveling in the grandeur of simple pleasures.

This is the summer of words and sounds,
of poems scribbled in haste and stacks of books,
of Tchaikovsky concerts for the masses, 
of belting out The Rolling Stones alone in the car,
Twangy country because, “I walk the line,” feels just right.

This is the summer of life and loss,
of regret and gratitude, 
of remembrance then acceptance, 
of calcified hearts and fading scars,
blessed are those who mourn.

This is the summer of water is life, 
of Wave beaten boats and ocean sprayed souls,
of being anchored yet feeling unmoored,
of little faith and moving mountains, 
seeing mercy in life’s vicissitudes.

This is my summer of chasing beauty….