Warm up already

In honor of this May, which is dragging its feet into summertime, when temperatures dip into the 50s, and we are all just READY for June.

SEASONS

Oh the wily wintertime with its cold and narrow scope

the gnarly fingered grasp, the scritchy scratch of layered winter wear

the steam of soups and coffees, the fireplace, and tartaned woollen throws

knotted muscles, humming against the chilly insinuating air, until

thawing, melting, it trips and traps into

the robust rise of spring

car windows open everywhere, and whitened hands and elbows cocked and sunning

trees pinked and popped.

reluctantly we ride to work in offices

and fight over who makes the leisurely measured seventy degree walk to the mailbox

for about two months, until

the sticky swollen summer months descend

envelop us in heavy swaths of heat-soaked sopping air

and sunlight stabs and rends our eyes and skin

and trees droop, cars sizzle, and noses pink in seconds of noontime exposure

breathing becomes labored and we all go to the movies, and long for

the golden cheeked arrival of the rosy autumnal days

when t-shirts need a supplement at dusk

and we unpack our sweaters, and feel newly dressed

camping, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and wrapping up at night

and a taste of Christmas on the wind

with a treasure before our eyes at every turn

and the death of the old year a steady beating heart measured in our every breath