you, bird of the summer

You came with the season,

as the first swallow sang

A brown headed stranger,

with a five-letter name

We planted our kisses

where the wild berries grow

my feet sprouted wings and

I flew all the way home

My cheeks red like fire engines

racing straight to the heat of your skin

and I know our days are numbered,

early bird of the summer

you’ll fly south just as the fall begins

The leaves changed their colors

the schoolyards were filled

My coat with the patches

barely keeps out the chill

You sent me a postcard from a town out of state,

I wish it were warmer

I hope you’re the same

The fields where we wandered were golden

Now only muddy my boots

I know I should recover,

you’re a bird of the summer,

I was wrong to try and capture you


Gone is the pale hand of winter

Here is the first flush of may

And soon I will discover whether birds of the summer fly in circles or just fly away