August 1st

August 1st
Written by Kelly Ann Wilson

There’s grass stains on my knees.
My feet are covered in mud.
We had all day to throw the football,
It’s summer vacation.

The sun has kissed my shoulders
And left freckles on my face.
The heat reaches into my bones
And I swear it heals my pain.

The subtle flushed and dewy glow remains
After a day of hard work.
But they don’t really seem like work at all,
These days spent in the weeds and dirt.

I watch this town come alive
As the people fill the streets.
Their only pressing question
Is the patio or beach.

And even when the dusk sets in
And the light starts to fade,
That’s when the crickets come out
With fireflies too, if we’re lucky.

The crackle of the bonfire
Just might be my favourite sound
Second only to my dad singing old songs
When they pass the guitar around.

I get lost in the pages of my book
Rocking on my front porch swing
Time moves a little slower
Under a big, shady tree.

Though I wait every year
For the crimson leaves to be revealed,
Until the cool air starts to creep in,
I sure love how summer feels.

Written August 1, 2024
© 2024 Kelly Ann Wilson