Summer Brother Poem by Suzanne Hayasaki

If summer is a lusty brother,
He is also a slothful one,
Lingering far longer
Than he is wanted
Like a stray dog
Seeking shelter from the sun
In my doorway.

May some fellow pup
Come gather him up
And take him to hunt
Somewhere far from here
And let graceful fall slink in
Like a calico cat
To take her watch
Over the coming frost.

I look forward to days growing cooler,
Colors growing richer,
Sunsets glowing golder,
Mists in the morning
And a chill in the evening

And the peace that sets in
When the oppressive presence
Of the unwanted guest
Is relieved by the appearance
Of the much more convivial company
Of the daughters of autumn

In their wine-colored gowns,
Ripening the wheat,
Plumpening the pumpkins,
Sweetening the corn,
And deepening my sleep
In the long, quiet nights
When Orion rides high in the sky.