LONGER SUMMER

Lawrence Bourgeois

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Each year, when the hot months came round

I always told myself: “THIS one, surely, will last”

June holds so much time within

It is a rare time where wasting an hour is no sin

July, a real far cry, why even think about her?

But June drags on and on, don’t fight

With a warm getting warmer breeze

 

By July, I know I could cry

It’s proof that time hasn’t halted

The rock still turns in uniform

Still, my shoes are off, my teachers enjoying a bottle of wine older than I am

My face is still nose to rose with a sunflower

And a bee sting just just a pleasant reminder that they are still alive

And I am still free

 

Come August, though, I know the jig is up

School’s in session, not far behind comes the depression

Just so is the cycle.

 

Years pass in this manner, I wonder about maturity and being a man

My body’s grown and I can best everyone in a test

But my soul’s as empty as an abandoned tin can

 

It’s a different galvanization for everyone, I suppose

For my editor, it was losing his brother to cocaine and ill will

For me, it was one too many bruises, a roll of the dice, and some unexpected love

 

After too many summers wasted, I finally realized the secret to a longer season

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See the water as a portal

See a stranger as a friend

See love as immortal

See crisis as a hand to lend

See the story behind every leaf, tear, pond, birth & death

When you write about things, make them beautiful

 

See our big wet & green rock as a box of rain

Sing songs about the mundane