When Summer Breathes in Color

I love the colors of summer —

green, red, blue and golden sun,

when everything shines and butterfly’s wonder

gnaws and grows till its secret is spun.

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I love the sounds of summer —

birdsong and naked laughter near,

hidden along the beach, a murmur,

the wind hums softly, warm and clear.

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I love the taste of summer’s pleasure —

sweet strawberries, apples that sting,

fresh peas — green jewels I treasure —

and salt from your lips when you lean and sing.

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When autumn comes, how shall I remember

the color, the sound, the taste of light,

when bright gives way to gray November

and gentle days turn stormy night.

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I’ll eat a banana as yellow as morning,

feed on its sunlit foreign birth,

fry in sunflower oil — while you, adorning

the chair — your lips no longer taste of earth’s mirth.

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Now we hide our quiet closeness between us,

the duvet warm as the sun once glowed.

We find each other, and love still frees us,

living on memory and hope bestowed.