August leaves bathe

on the rain-soaked driveway-

fall preview...

old song stirs

memories of a summer

long ago-

a familiar ache resting

deep in my chest.

shopping for sunscreen,

an aisle filled with notebooks and

unsharpened pencils

catches my eye-

reality sets in.

feeling

warm sand between my toes-

memories slip through...

clear night sky

suddenly interrupted

by lightning-

flashes of your face now

replacing my quiet thoughts...

fingers

intertwine slowly-

no need for words...

waning moon
hangs low in the night sky-
I look on,
heavy-hearted, knowing
that soon he will be gone...

at last I hear

her steady, even breathing

in the dark-

crickets unaware

continue their lullabies...

his breath on my neck,

eyes close as lips waver-

anticipation...

watching darkness fall,

my spirit rises

with the full moon

soft haze

rests above the river
with my thoughts

distant fireworks
heard on the fifth of July-
afterthoughts...

July moon

plays hide and seek behind

the silver clouds

pink lemonade-
drinking in
the summer sunset

dying grass
begs the sky
for mercy

if soft moonlight
had a scent,
it would be yours

a summer half-gone
leaves me somber until
her popsicle grin
reminds me
of the half that lies ahead...

seven stars
pour thoughts of you into
my evening daydreams...

lying in the grass,
counting stars instead of sheep-
backyard campout

cool breeze
slides its arms around me-
a welcome embrace...