PROMISE IN GOLD

Sweat drips off my nose's end
and runs from bald head to my eyes.
I take a towel and wipe my gourd
then look up to the cloudless skies.

Then I lift another block
and lay it in its mortar bed
bend down to lift another one
decide to take a break instead.

My break chair awaits me in the shade
as well as cooler and cold drink
beneath a big water oak tree.
Damn! it's hot! I swear and think.

I sit and dig out a diet coke
in the shade where a cool breeze blows.
take a swallow, wipe my head again,
rub my knees where the ache grows.

There's six more weeks of summer left,
six more weeks of stifling southern heat.
I wonder how I'll last through it.
A few clouds now would be a treat.

As I cool off I look around.
This home will sit in privacy
along the edge of woods and old field
where deer leave tracks for all to see.

All the leaves are summer green
on the cherry, oaks and other trees.
My survey stops....then goes back
to something that sets my soul at ease.

A single ancient poplar tree
with a scattering of leaves turned gold
which shout that summer soon will end
and all the trees will become bold.

I scratch my bald head now turned dry
then smile at thoughts of coming fall,
slowly rise to get on back to work.
I need to finish up this wall.