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When Summer Breathes
by
Margaret Coombs


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Because we waste not, when gooseberries
dangle from our fence, I harvest the sour spheres,
eager to can. My husband toils alone inside,
ticks numbers off a spreadsheet. Our child
 
skips in circles, gyrates to peepers bellowing
in the violet evening. I tell him fairies dance
between the roots of our ancient pine. I want
to give him a world suffused with awe.
 
We travel to old growth forests, waterfalls
and rivers, seek the magic of summer hail,
the loon's cry. For a trace of time we are earth's
acolytes, tending to tomatoes, savoring pears.
 
Come out, Dad, our son shrieks. We hear a chair
scrape against the bare floor, the screen door squeak.
The night ratchets up in happiness. And creation,
bringer of our abundance—how to bless it in return? 


© by Margaret Coombs.
Used with the author's permission.

 




Margaret Coombs is a retired academic librarian who lives in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She recently changed her writing name to her birth name as a way to connect with the literary dreams she had as a child. Margaret's work has appeared in several publications and her first chapbook, The Joy of Their Holiness, was published in 2020 under the name Peggy Turnbull. Learn about Margaret at https://margaretcoombs.com/.

 

 


Post New Comment:
Wilda Morris:
"For a trace of time we are earth�s / acolytes." That is my favorite phrase in this joyous poem. Thank you!
Posted 07/21/2020 04:16 PM
Jancan:
You have vividly described something wonderful--everyday life playing out.
Posted 07/20/2020 10:52 AM
Anastasia:
You have found such lovely poetry in seemingly small moments�thank you for this bit of peace and joy.
Posted 07/19/2020 06:19 PM
Lori Levy:
Beautiful language.
Posted 07/19/2020 05:58 PM
Jo:
beautiful and caring poem.
Posted 07/19/2020 03:44 PM
BAMars:
A perfect childhood and a beautiful poem.
Posted 07/19/2020 01:39 PM
joecot:
This poem is a blessing.
Posted 07/19/2020 11:59 AM
DELINDMAN:
Beautiful, real and profound. I'm saving this one.
Posted 07/19/2020 11:42 AM
Jean Colonomos-1:
So graceful, so the reminder of awe. Thank you.
Posted 07/19/2020 10:52 AM
peninsulapoet:
Lovely poem.
Posted 07/19/2020 09:43 AM
jeeger:
Perfect!
Posted 07/19/2020 08:47 AM
Larry Schug:
But bless nature and ourselves we must.
Posted 07/19/2020 07:51 AM
beatingheart:
If we don't take care of our home, the earth, who will?
Posted 07/19/2020 06:36 AM


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