Greens and Blues and Red Canoes

come with me up to a glen

where we may deeply breathe again

put aside your laden air

there is no time for toil up there

come sip some wine and spend an hour

sniffing every lily pad’s flower

and we will float in moonlit dreams

painting venetian lovers scenes

i know a scene for you to sketch

of lake and sky and wilderness

as you render greens and blues

i will capture your artist’s muse

come rest awhile beneath this willow

i will be your napping pillow

blackbird’s cry and seagull’s sigh

shall be for us a lullaby

wake up love the sky is blazing

this morn won’t be one of lazing

grab your book and bathing suit

i’ve packed bread and cheese and fruit

o’er the dams and up the stream

beaver’s foils can’t keep this team

from a picnic on a blanket of moss

by a swirling pool under waterfalls

swim once more out to the island

eye that graceful great blue heron

as he weaves his azure quilt

our souls alight on breezy lilt

clouds of whimsical shape and form

wisps of water and air transformed

when you reflect upon such gifts

do you not feel a part of it

greet our guests with hugs and jests

close the door and swat the pests

euchred again can’t you play faster

would you prefer a hand of canasta

put up your feet and tell some stories

make us laugh until we’re sorry

come see the sunset’s watery pun

rising mist hazing sinking sun

september’s song shall soon be played

i’ll miss bullfrog’s serenade

i’ll strum six strings for his delight

please my sweet sing starry night

another season of swims and walks

snoozes, canoes and midnight talks

i lament summer’s passing but

within our hearts love’s light glows, lasting

we grow drowsy by the fire

admiring ashes’ ascending gyre

goodnight my sweet the dew has fallen

can’t you hear the loons a-calling

close the curtains brush your hair

dim the candle say a prayer

yellow moon yellow moon keep this night

shimmering coal in harvest light

~e