end to an off season (memorial day 2010)

it is the end
of the beauty
found in
the cold and uncertain

there is one more to come after this one
i wrote it last night
it should appear in the
published
work

this morning began
like most of the summer
as i rolled past the speed limit signs
by the fire station in duck
and the movie theater in corolla
the limits are once again
fallen
to make safe the way of
the lost tourist
i push the
ford up behind the
slow ones
the ones with no
g p s
onlookers gather and roll as the
pretty things walk the streets again

fireworks blaze illegally
young boys will try again
along with
alcohol and displays of
bravado
mostly sweat and the showing of
skin
the wave has not yet crashed
though it builds
steady and capable of
destruction

hold that for now

but
this morning
two joggers
one carrying our
flag
reminded me early on that
it is memorial day
a day to honor our fallen
and
the end to the rest

we will have a few
more weeks before
the kids get out
and families roam free
and cope with
each other

months from now
labor day will return us
to grace
and peace
fitting
after the service and
the seas and the winds
have had their way

tonight the wind blows warm and
dry

the floor of my yard
crackles as the
breeze blows loose the
last acorns hanging
in my live oak
leaves shed through
march and april
crisp in the dry
death of may
leaves waxen
presented
ready to store the fast and fat
summer rains

we should wish to appear
as this steady

there is time to lose
money to make and
preparations
for
the coming of heat and
moisture is upon us
and i sit at this machine
wondering
over the hum and flash of
cars outside my window
will this be the season

and the bubbles in
the cheap cava
break in me and
carry tired thoughts
away
as this muscle
frustration and
mind
ready
to bear the weight of the show
once again