An Ode to Summer

So hot you can see the heat

Hazy waves of summer

Blowing from the southeast

Entire forests burnt to crisp

In a single flame

Rain: the drink of the summer 

She holds onto moisture 

the best she knows how

Pinion, sage, and pine

A perfect arid desert trine 

Effervescent ponds and rivulets

Mighty canyons and ancient river beds

Flow ceaselessly from stone

What was hard,

Now, remains soft

Streaming out into the unknown;

Sun-Giant awakens my tan skin:

My true colors within 

Glowing red hot 

Cooled to touch 

Only by aloe and wind

A perfectly ripe moment

Of succulent suffering

I am reminded of true wealth:

Self-sufficient happiness

Love-making and

A curious, open mind

I am grateful for 

What is right in front of me

Nothing more 

Nothing less

I remain grateful

I am reminded, 

Mother Earth mothers us

And she mothers herself

Cycling through all seasons

In perfect rhythm to her drum

I am no more important

My life is not more permanent

Than a juicy, wild plum

So I sit back and savor 

All the flavors of summer

Worshiping the birds as they 

Sing and flicker by

Working to survive 

Another sunny season 

Quick to swallow

All they can eat

So hot you can see the heat