The Laugh of Summer

The Laugh of Summer

Morning cracked wide,

and the grass wore its jewels.

Children ran with open hands.

Chasing air. Chasing each other.

With no thought of falling.

The sun stitched light on every face.

It made crowns out of sweat.

The old dog wagged at nothing.

As if joy itself had bones worth chewing.

A mother called from the porch,

her voice soft with bread.

just the smell of it brought children back

Back for more to the table.

The Laugh of Summer,

hunger waits smiling.

We ate until laughter spilled, like water,

too much too heavy for its glass.

No sorrow entered the yard.

Only bees buzzing soft hymns.

And the wind braiding songs.

Later the sky bent low.

Tinting the roofs with warmth.

The kind of evening that carries a promise

that is hidden in its sleeve.

We will see one another tomorrow.