Bracing For Fall or Of Summer Spent

 Is there any emptier feeling in the home than when a child moves out for school?

Hugs all around to parents who suddenly find their arms aching for a Summer that is no more...

What pangs do autumn’s hearts torment

With love’s demands when hands are stripped

And trees are lamp-posts, yellow-dipped

And primed for summer-less lament

Ah, life is cursed with discontent

And hollow hurt of letting go

While mouths make promises we know

Will not reimburse summer spent

…so we stand tall and say hello

To newcomers in this Fall place

Of arms still aching to embrace

What time insists on weaning…oh,

The air is like a map we trace

Back to That Shangri-La before

We staggered beneath the loud roar

Of empty room and packed suitcase

What pangs do autumn’s hearts torment

With love’s demands when hands are stripped

And lands are unkempt, yellow-dipped

And primed for Time's timeless lament

© Janet Martin