Summers Spell Poem by Patti Masterman

Summer's eiderdown spins a cotton-scented spell
Of dry tongues swapping secrets, sworn not to tell.
Cold ice cream in buckets, hand-cranked under heaven,
And lies served neat, and bitterness unleavened.

Young girls enraging old, beneath a cranky moon.
Half-worked days, under shade trees at high noon.
Hair bleached by sun, with a lemonade wisp;
Shy, freckled faces; never yet been kissed.

Crops on the vine, ripening till dawn;
Orchard trees and berries, to season life's songs
Of weddings on porches, and babies in cradles.
Long arms, big hands working long as they're able.

The soil made richer, with their sinewy strength;
Under the sun, their children add length.
Though a heartier people never may be found,
Their feet on earth so gentle, they never broke ground.