"Summertime" poem circa 2008

i stretch myself slowly out of winter’s bitter slumber
coaxed awake by the calling of spring and all her empty promises
thunderheads swell on the horizon
roll thru the sky with threats of thunder and lightning
expressing their anger in loud, frightening gestures
unleashing warm rains, awakening rivers and springs
then suddenly they are gone
dissipated
leaving behind nourished refreshed bursting life
joyful and glorious in all of its abundance
the embrace of the warm breeze
the vivid colors of the land and sky
the touch of the golden sun against my skin
i want to soak it all up
max out all six of my senses
the rolling hills
the breath of the trees stirring in the restless air
the calls of lazy insects
it all culminates in a beauty that’s almost painfully overwhelming
i can’t believe i am here
in this place
at this precise moment in time
wandering freely and without care
like this day will last forever
stretching out into one endless season
of sunlight and laughter and bold exploration
feeling at one where the wild things roam
on top of the world
spying upon those below with eagle eyed intent
i wish i could grow wings
and never have to return to reality
just float
from meadow to valley
mountain peak to forest
never looking back
until the moon calls me home
to my place in the heavens
settling down at last
in a state of peace and winter’s gentle slumber