The last hot breeze of summer
condenses in drops on my
lemonade glass.
Another worn-out season ends.
My hammock sways on
the west wind’s sweltering exhale.
Dry grass crunches under foot.
Peeling windowsill paint flutters
like the leaves yellowing in our maple tree.
As the wind rises. Summers final gasp
flaps the orange beach towel on the porch rail,
ruffles the tops of blue waves,
bends the cattails at the shoreline,
clangs the rusted wind chime.
Towering clouds and swaying branches
start crowding out the leaning past-noon sun.
Bulging cumulo-nimbi gather
to break this heat and drench down
the first cold, gray rain of autumn.
LakeTown, USA 