I was shocked by the relenting midwest humidity and heat on the first Monday of August with some cool temperatures, a breeze, and even a smell in the air that gave me autumn feels. I would normally enjoy a day off from the stifling 90s, but the impending cooler temperatures this year have my anxieties a little heightened as I think about continuing to social distance from folks but not having as much flexibility to see friends outside. So to keep those anxieties at bay, I sat outside in the cool August Monday air to write about the goodness of that day.
There’s a chill in the air this summer day
As though the sun got turned down over night.
The cool rush of winds makes the garden greens sway
And the ice cream truck has few friends in sight.
It’s not time for pumpkins or sweaters yet
Too cold for ice cream but too warm for soup
Last night’s long rain makes the ground feel so wet
And I fear autumn is making its swoop.
I’m not ready for the good greens to disperse
Nor watch the flowers close up one last time
Twenty-eight winters I’ve had to rehearse
And still the fading warmth feels like a crime.
But in cool breeze is beauty of seasons
That bring to light their own special edens.
