Come Dance With Me
it's summer's end
and the world is changing
into its flannel pyjamas
before the cold north winds
bring freezing fogs
and snowy blankets
that drape over the fields
of empty husks and arthritic scarecrows
it's summer's end
when the creak and groan
of frost-biten mornings
warn that winter's prelude has descended
from the starlost skies
to send the wild things
of forest and meadow
scurrying for shelter
and so come dance with me
one more time
under the dappled light
of the sugar-maple moon
slowly melting into
the vapour of
a blacker night
come dance with me
one more time
in your summer clothes
your bright red shoes
and that flowery frock you like so much
the one you say takes 20 pounds off
and bring a picnic
of sandwiches and sweets
a feast of sunny memories
quietly becoming drowsy with forgetfulness
because shuffling feet
evoke all kinds of hunger
somewhere between the knees
and the tummy
come dance with me
one more time
and before the fury
of some jitterbug jive ends
with the tight embrace of the final waltz
we'll steal kisses
in the shadows
mixed with indecent caresses
that will linger
long after the world surrenders
to hibernation
and we disappear
into sleep
to dream of summer's return
when once again
we'll awaken to
the heave of heat
to dance
across a barn-board floor
and two-step our way
into the romance of
a final and
never-ending
summer's night
and the world is changing
into its flannel pyjamas
before the cold north winds
bring freezing fogs
and snowy blankets
that drape over the fields
of empty husks and arthritic scarecrows
it's summer's end
when the creak and groan
of frost-biten mornings
warn that winter's prelude has descended
from the starlost skies
to send the wild things
of forest and meadow
scurrying for shelter
and so come dance with me
one more time
under the dappled light
of the sugar-maple moon
slowly melting into
the vapour of
a blacker night
come dance with me
one more time
in your summer clothes
your bright red shoes
and that flowery frock you like so much
the one you say takes 20 pounds off
and bring a picnic
of sandwiches and sweets
a feast of sunny memories
quietly becoming drowsy with forgetfulness
because shuffling feet
evoke all kinds of hunger
somewhere between the knees
and the tummy
come dance with me
one more time
and before the fury
of some jitterbug jive ends
with the tight embrace of the final waltz
we'll steal kisses
in the shadows
mixed with indecent caresses
that will linger
long after the world surrenders
to hibernation
and we disappear
into sleep
to dream of summer's return
when once again
we'll awaken to
the heave of heat
to dance
across a barn-board floor
and two-step our way
into the romance of
a final and
never-ending
summer's night
"arthritic scarecrows"
ReplyDeleteYou could have written the Song of Solomon (the Bible passages, not the other book), KJ.
As for arthritic scarecrows, I feel like one right now. Damnedest cough I've ever had. Might be something really serious; I don't know. If I don't show up for anymore dances next summer, or even this winter, you'll know my diagnosis was correct.
~Manfred
http://knightsfeather.wordpress.com/
Haha ... well, I'm sure you'll be around. A cold is a nasty thing ... hang in there ... drink lots of water and get plenty of rest ...
Deleteso dreamy...so lovely *sigh*
ReplyDeleteMany thanks ... :o}
Delete"Harvest Moon" is very special to me, and your beautiful poem is a perfect fit.
ReplyDeleteOh that Neil ... just another Canadian romantic ... ;o}
DeleteThank goodness for the Canadian romantics ... xxx
Deletestarlost skies and indecent caresses... nice combo :)
ReplyDeleteI think you've captured the mood of the season quite masterfully.
And for you, summer's arrival is imminent ... enjoy ... ;O}
Deleteah autumn's here :) always a pleasure to read your writes :)
ReplyDelete