Sun massages my shoulders,
gives a glow to my face,
and sends nourishment to my
aching bones.

Heat in October and November.
Eighty degrees, car windows down,
“Boys of Summer” playing loud and fast
while my hair blows along the breeze
that runs beside the Tennessee River.

Girls in tank tops and shorts.
Bright summer colors still hang in the closet.

Sleeping nightly in our lofty cabin of a porch.
Awakened by roosters and loud birds.
Acorns fall and hit our tin roof.
Dried leaves crunch
under the paws of woodland creatures.

Visible autumn in brilliant red
and golden trees.
A Christmas open house with
crowds entering and exiting stores
opened for the occasion.

Santa sweltering beneath a red velvet suit,
hat and heavy boots.
He waves and invites hot sticky children
to sit on his lap.

Soft warm rains enliven green ferns
while pressing dried leaves to the ground.
A gift of a very long summer.
A gift of people enjoying open air
and relishing the light.