MIDSUMMER
I would fell the tallest tree
For a single leaf for thee
To fold into your golden hair
Of flaxen wheat, midsummer's fair
I would capture flowers free
Imbued with rain beguiled the sea
Bequeath their bouquet rich and rare
Alight your bodice pure and bare
I would rouse the stars above
To spill their light for thee my love
So eyes may see spite darkness dare
Blind the truth your side I share
If just this spell your heart should please
Walk with me, midsummer's fair
golden sun climbs high
longest day kiss the warm earth~
sweet scent mounts to sky
hills carpeted green
eager leaves drink summer light~
nature`s gift unseen
bees buzz all around
a rhythm of lazy heat~
time seems to slow down
birds` songs fill the air
sparrows hop from branch to branch~
sun`s wrath to beware
berry tastes so sweet
rays of sun, intense and bright~
ice-cream, such a treat
day`s orb sinks to rest
colours bleed across the sky~
mix of hues at best
dance of green fireflies
tiny sparks in twilight's gown~
a charm to the eyes
warm air holds its way
crickets start their nightly song~
hearts feel light and gay
silver moon shines high
sparkling stars in firmament~
darkness fades with sigh
the northern star gleams
guiding wise sailors at sea~
half the world in dreams
feasters quit their rooms
bonfires burn into the night~
flower crowns in blooms
the world feels soft grace
a moment held in its prime~
midsummer's embrace.
In 7th grade English, my class got to read,
With Mrs. Kaminsky, my first
Taste of Shakespeare, the dream of “A Midsummer Night”
And for weeks we were fully immersed.
We couldn’t have done it alone, without help –
The language and style, to us
Was a challenge and yet with our teacher to guide,
We sailed through it without too much fuss.
I’d need a refresher to dig out the plot
From the recesses deep in my brain,
Though the love of the language and what it inspired,
Front and center, to this day, remain.
My grandson just told me (he’s 7th grade now)
That in school, with his class, he’ll soon start
The very same play, his first Shakespeare, as well,
And that knowledge tapped into my heart.
I hope I can find my old copy from school,
Which is scribbled with jottings I wrote
When, to 7th grade me, the idea of a grandson
Was more than remotely remote.
Leaves are starting to fall to address the mother earth,
While flowers are stacking in tombs with steady increase in warmth
The sounds of chirping birds are the remainders of approaching dawn
As the stars will start to fade uncovering the beauty of daylight
Are the proofs of wonderful day, in summers of mid May.
a park calm and hushed
autumn's crisp welcomed reprieve
cool shade for the lark
summer's cruel oppression lifts
an elm shrouded bench composed
Written: March 18, 2025 for contest Sponsored by: Brian Strand
**************
I swapped worry for a searing abyss
a painter brush colorizes gold fields
converting me into an orange butterfly
with shiny peach strokes, sealing my kismet
my raw life spreads wings
a cool breeze carries me on a winter sleigh
my bones feel cold and long for warmth
I await spring with bated breath.
for honeyed nectar, I dance overhead
my veins carry a sweet elixir
I waltz for my dream woman
seeking her by midsummer rains
my agile limbs flickered and flitted
I view a peony patch visitor
a sexy female fritillary with elegant curves
a challenge awaits, but I'll earn her love
Twilight whispers behind the blinds;
I barely see, but I believe,
In the ruby and orange rinds,
Moon blossoms of midsummer eve.
I barely see, but I believe
In the twinkling star diamonds,
Moon blossoms of midsummer eve.
Romantic ebon-sky widens.
In the twinkling star diamonds,
Circling like a halo above,
Romantic ebon sky widens;
Where there’s darkness, a lunar dove.
Circling like a halo above,
Juiciness of sluicing hues, wet.
Where there’s darkness, a lunar dove.
Pearly gates preserve the sunset.
Juiciness of sluicing hues, wet,
In the ruby and orange rinds.
Pearly gates preserve the sunset;
Twilight whispers behind the blinds.
a fragrant evening
in good mood to say poem
in midsummer day
A Romios Midsummer’s Dream
In any weather, whether it be sun-kissed
or intensely stormy.
Is to find residence and warmth in the
incandescent,arms of her loving honey!
His olive-skinned arms encircled her,
like stippled, gold, giant butterfly wings.
His citrusy, warm breath, Mon Dieu,
makes her body both shudder and sing!
In his forever, velvet, house she chooses
to abide.
Listening to his Hellenic heart beat, as
strong as the Aegean Sea's tides.
Nothing in this merciless world does she
desire with her soul, more than this.
Her butterfly winged, home and a forevermore
Greek lastling, delicious kiss!
7/4/2024
midsummer's easy
dragonflies
children free from cares
The Summer sun of midnight
loves the Antarctic sky;
Her brilliant orange cloak
spreads out behind her
as she flies;
Beauty
solar
cosmic
bright -
It is all day - there is no night;
Though night would skulk around the edge,
swirling shadows
rippling clouds.
Pink banishes the smears of grey
as dawn prevails to herald Day.
The midsummer sky, so vast and wide,
Takes on a hue that's acerb to describe,
A canvas of blues, so many shades,
A masterpiece that never fades.
Deep indigo, almost back,
As twilight blue, a hint of black,
A sapphire blue, so bright and bold,
A baby blue, so soft and cold.
The clouds dance, so light and airy,
A white so pure, so bright and merry,
A gray so dark, so heavy, and so low
Pink is so soft, akin to a gentle glow.
The stars twinkle, so bright and clear,
A constellation, so faraway but near,
A moon so round, so bright and white,
A sight so grand, it's quite a sight.
The midsummer sky, a treasure of art,
A beauty that touches every heart,
A point in history, so pure and free,
A memory that will always be
Written: June 6, 2023
midsummer midnightand sweet dreams
orchestra of crickets
a steady snore
blades spinning overhead
moon tapping the blinds
midsummer midnight
eyes darting back & forth
between fantasias
and goosebumps, nebulosity
between reality
and surrealism
midsummer midnight
the court of inside & out
each one, unknown
to the other - a cup of joe
extracts the residuals
fog lifts with cream and a pour
Midsummer hot afternoon hip
From licking lips of ice-cream drip.
Chocolate and mint I often crave
But strawberry - my old time fave!
Exquisite, palate pleasing taste -
My thrilled tongue twirling, soaked and bathed.
Body and mind of chilling bliss -
Hot and cold dish of ice cream kiss.
Ultimate height under the sun,
Where joy and pleasure melts in one.
Midsummer dream of taunting tease -
Languorous love in heat wave breeze!
June 20, 2022
Midsummer nights come with humid sighs,
Offering little sleep on soggy August nights
With cicadas rasping and moths lighting,
Where such critters are clearly unwanted
In spite of it all, I try to remain undaunted.
Me and the bedclothes constantly fighting
Up and down, rearranging, turning on lights,
Moths are now joined by two pesky flies.
written July 13, 2021
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