Elegy
The last day of July, and I can only sit here and watch
it go by. My favorite month of the year, my beloved summer, getting ready to
disappear.
Soon I’ll begin to mourn for the sensuous nights, with
their warm seductive breezes and the way the air smells, the leftover scent of
the sun baked into leaves, grass, juniper shrubs. The way the crickets band together in the trees, their songs
loudening as the days shorten, raging against the dying of the light.
Standing under green canopies in sudden summer storms,
waiting for the brief chance to run to the next tree, the next doorway, trying
to outrun the rain as we try to outrun the onrushing fall.
And when July turns over on its back and August eases
in, with it comes the loss that will be one year old this month, the
not-yet-over grieving, the longing for other years; and the cricket song
repeats over and over “she’s gone, she’s gone, she’s gone.”
Beautiful. Growing up in Gilroy, Ca. which is very hot during the summer months, I spent a lot of time outdoors in the evenings. I remember the crickets and it indeed was like music. I miss the crickets.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. Where do you live now, that you don't have crickets? It's such a sign of summer, isn't it? The constant buzzing that you stop hearing but that's just part of the overall summer atmosphere. It's so sad when they stop.
DeleteThis piece is gorgeous (although I'm a fall girl at heart). The flow is beautiful even though it rings with melancholy and sadness in the final lines. Thank you so much for linking up.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gina. I lost my mother last year in August, and I didn't set out to write this about that loss but I couldn't think of July turning into August without thinking of her. Thanks for reading and commenting.
DeleteAs a true summer girl.. And someone who loves to flip her calendars for the new pictures and quotes I too caught my breath as I realized that it was august today and summer was for all its purpose almost over.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a gorgeous piece.. Full of the longing and sadness that Will always accompany a bittersweet loss
Thank you for linking with us this week.
Thank you, Kir. I usually don't start to feel melancholic till almost September, but this year the summer seemed so short (cold and rainy June here) and as I said above August is the first anniversary of my mother's death, so it's especially poignant for me this year. Glad to meet another summer lover, and thanks again for your comment!
DeleteSummer is not a favorite time for me, however you have certainly brought out the best of those days and nights. And yes, as stated above the cadence is so eloquent. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Amy. I can always count on you for encouragement! I appreciate your support so much. (Why don't you come on over and try Trifecta sometime :-)?)
DeleteThanks so much, Jo-Anne. Your comments are always so encouraging, and I really appreciate them. Loved your piece this week, too, and congratulations on your silver medal!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous elegy - as much for summer as for your mother.
ReplyDeleteI especially like 'songs loudening as the days shorten'.
I'm also very sorry for your loss.