Summer Solstice

The solar light climbs high today,
It is that time of year.
The children in their yards at play,
Their mothers watching near.

But do they know amidst their bliss
What nature doth afford?
Today the fiery rays will kiss
A lengthened silver cord.

Soft as it comes, the glimmer fades,
The moment's here then gone.
The days grow shorter; summer wanes,
Autumn hails a wintry dawn.

Celestial wonder for all to see,
The mystery do not miss.
Life's lease extends, though slight it be,
The gift: a summer solstice.

Author: Scott Kuhns 06/21/05

The following poetic work was written by my friend, Bethany Blubaugh, as she reminisced today on her childhood memories of summer.

An Ode to My Childhood
On the First Day of Summer

What I would trade for just one day
To be again a child
To play outside from dawn till dusk
Through weather hot or mild

To turn on the sprinkler or the hose
And run myself right through
Laughing and giggling all the while
Of the world I had no clue

We'd wake up early and run outside
Mom would watch closeby
She'd take out the laundry and hang it up
And watch me chase a firefly

Mom was always in the house
Sometimes I would sneak in
I'd give her a hug and a kiss
And run outside again

We'd ride our bikes in the street
Mine had streamers and was pink
I remember the day I rode alone
I'll never forget it, I don't think

Those carefree days
Came to an end
Where did childhood stop
And my real life begin?

If I knew then what I know now
I'd treasure every minute
I'd try and capture more little things
Every day and all things in it

I want to tell the kids I see
To enjoy this summer day
It is the best time of your life
And it's not here to stay

I'm so thankful for my peaceful home
For a loving mom and dad
For the feeling I get when I reminisce
It's always good not bad

So here I sit, I'm all grown up
The first day of summer is here today
And though I'm not a child anymore
Inside I feel the same

For a moment today, I went back
I was there on Judson Street
I was 7 years old with no front teeth
And flip flops on my feet

I felt the breeze blow through my hair
As I was on my swing
And I swear for a moment I closed my eyes
And heard a bluebird sing

I watched a butterfly
Float softly in the air
It landed on my shoulder
Can't you see it? It's right there!

I tasted a red popsicle
It melted way too fast
I sat outside on the steps
trying to make it last

I smelled the sultry air
Of a hot day in June
But it only lasted for a moment
It ended way too soon

But at least I had a moment
To visit bygone days
I'm just as happy now
But it's different in so many ways

Good childhoods are so important
Young lives they shape and mold
I'll treasure mine for all my days
Until I have grown old.

Author: Bethany Blubaugh 06/21/05