We will end the summer
with a terracotta sunset
just before
the sky seeks diversion
in darkening clouds
At last, spilling out
a long-sought summer rain
showering down
tap, tap, tap
drops of water
upon windows and walks
And down the street
Dina’s old air conditioner hums
a final baritone salute
to the season of the sun
The man who now lives
in Tom’s old house
packs his electrical supplies
ready for the 7 AM grind
speeding his Chevy down
Avenue H
reeling from
bottomless well drinks
and finite sleep
The Scribe of Grant Street
turns to his pen
and begs it not to scribble
the truths of sad nations
or the heartbreak of dead seasons
but rather to forge ahead
and record the sounds of
the living, breathing neighborhood
the exclamations of Connie on the corner
dissing the sorority tarts
as the postman sloshes
split, splat through
the impending rainfall
Well, this was a pretty refreshing read, Garvin ❤.
Beautiful as always, Lana! I take it summer’s also coming to an end in your neck of the woods? Just today I put my ventilator back in the attic. 😁
It is, Sarah . I’m a bit sad, it’s my favorite season although it’s so hot! Thank you dear Sarah! xx
Ah, lovely summer rain… and such a wonderful poem! Really enjoyed this, Lana.
Thank you, Iris. That end of summer rain is welcome, it does signal the change in the air and the transfer to a new season. xx
Welcome, Lana. xx
Powerful
Thank you!
Love all the descriptives here, Lana, but what stuck with me was the Scribe of Grant Street turning to his pen and begging it “not to scribble / the truths of sad nations / or the heartbreak of dead seasons / but rather to forge ahead / and record the sounds of
the living, breathing neighborhood.” So easy for a stubborn pen to replay the past and overlook the present. Be refreshed by the rain, my dear. 🙂
Thank you, Joan. I have officially passed refreshed at this point, now I’m thinking about building an ark, LOL. Yes, the Scribe of Grant Street needs to go down and have coffee with Connie or maybe hang out with sorority tarts or loose cheerleaders. I don’t think he is happy that winter is coming, I think the cold bothers him, but that’s just me 😉
ahhhhhhhhhh! summer and all its warmth. I miss it already.
I know exactly how you feel, Jim. If we could skip winter every year, I’d be down with it!
Lovely! Echoes of Under Milk Wood, perhaps …
Oh thanks, Dave. I’m not familiar with that work, so I will look it up now that those cool, grey reading days are upon us 😀
Oh, you must! It’s a radio play for voices, well worth hearing in performance. I like to follow it in the text, too, but that’s a matter of personal taste. The best version is the first one, I think, narrated by Richard Burton. https://youtu.be/WJtzOD3KbLM?t=25
Loved your farewell to summer Lana. <3
Thanks so much, Debby! 😀
You have captured the feeling of summer’s passing for me. Lovely words for an appropriate close to the season.
Thank you, Dee. Summer is my favorite season. I’m always a bit wistful when it is over. xx
https://superduque777.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/bouquet-of-wild-flowers.jpg?w=950
Wonderful as always, Lana. Yes, summer is gone and soon autumn will be too.
You’re right Diana, it all just flies by so fast.