Then It's September

When shadows climb hills at seven o’clock

And the air dons a chill as the daylight grows dim

Where leaves in precision are etched on the blue

Before darkness slips over each out-stretched limb

When green fields turn gold and the gold field turns brown

And all are the stage to cricket-canticle

Then it’s September; summer’s fading gown

Before nature’s ravishing fall-madrigal

When we are torn between laughter and tears

Kissing our babies and letting them go

As school bells ring; and summer disappears

Into the heart’s tender-sweet afterglow

Echo of sea-song and silver tide sweeps

Over the hours of what once had been

Then it’s September; the walnut tree weeps

Gold-bronze medallions on yesterday’s green

When we glean fruit from spring’s labor of faith

Marveling at earth’s bounteous yield

When we bow before the ruler of earth

Thanking the One who fills garden and field

When we smile back as the sun-flowers grin

From kitchen window-sills, tables and such

Then it’s September; humbly we begin

To bear the sweet sorrow of summer’s cooling touch

© Janet Martin

 I picked these yesterday, put them on my kitchen window-sills. Finally tonight at supper I asked, Well, isn't anyone going to say something?' 

They all stared blankly so I pointed at the flowers; 'you know, something like, nice flowers, or, 'that's a lot of flowers, mom' 

   Matthew looked at them and back at me, "wow, I didn't even notice them until now!"

Happy September, everyone!