Cool nights and shorter days
remind us
time to gather in our memories
of summer's gifts
the garden with it's ever
shifting colors
a world of roses
floribundas pink
and white rugosas
apple scented eglantine
great clumps of guara
blossoms dancing
on long stalks
and black-eyed susans
purple peonies and spikes
of dark blue sage

With the Covid we stayed home
but in July a hike
along the Rogue
my wife
our daughter
baby still inside
and daughter's husband
the two dogs off leash
leading the way
and when it got too warm
we stripped and swam
letting the current
carry cares away
it's hard to say who
was the happier
we humans or the dogs
the river flowing strong
dark green with flecks of silver
heading toward the sea

Tonight with the full moon
this harvest of
delicious memories
offsets somewhat the news
the plague that's killing thousands
every day the numbers rising with
no end in sight
and we who've yet to lose
a friend or loved one
feel our hearts go out
to those who've suffered
losses in this troubled time
and pray that it
may soon be over
even as we thank the gods
of summer for their many gifts