August 1 - Anita Holzberg

Let the summer roll
  the umbrella of sweetness
happy times
  I spend most of my days inside
not looking to be in the sun
  surrounded by wildflowers

    I stop occasionally to pick
         a plum
  that rolled on my deck from the tree
         above it
     eaten by birds
         the purple flush against sky

           I stop often to dry a swimsuit
       or a sundress from the pool

              in my descent to the out-
doors
         summers of the past emerge
               the barbecues
            the lake
                the swimming pool
           barelegged and shorts clad
                diving into the pool
             no cares really
                 the days went quickly
             when we were young
                 no real care about that

We come to mid summer
            or late summer
       the very last month
             hot weather prevails
      and fruit flies hover
            over half eaten watermelon

         the goal is never to underestimate
      the end of summer
          romance
               stir fried afternoons
           students opening notebooks

               the goal is:
       be true to thyself
                let the summer come in
          still one month to go
                in late June I hum
          in early August I harmonize
               with all that has
                   happen
           green eyed trees
                  and leaves of memory
              make it even better.