Strawberry Moon                

Summer Solstice, Lake Attitash

Summer solstice settles on lake,

a few casual clouds drift, almost

imperceptibly, across an azure dome.

Sun executes its tiptoe dance

on top of ripples sliding to shore.

A mother duck paddles by

with fresh hatchlings,

donning their fluffy down,

she clucks softly to remind

youngsters to stay close to clutch.

A dragonfly wings slowly along,

rests before the evening’s siege

that starts with waning light

and surge of mosquitos.

Some boaters settle on surface

in no hurry to go anywhere,

enjoying afternoon’s ambience.

Occasionally one exhibits an energy burst

and with a roar trails a white wake.

Fishermen drift slowly near shore,

cast lines while in quiet conversation.

Neighbor’s daughters return

to water for first swim –

a trio of Naiads enjoy

submersion into liquid velvet.

A breeze blows in from coast,

fans feathery fronds of Dawn Redwood

that shades porch from summer’s simmer

and where a cat snoozes away the season.

Summer returns carrying remembrances

of years along these shores

where days seem eternal

and the dream of summer never ends.

Lainie Senechal

Announcement:  Lainie will exhibit her paintings and read her poetry at an Art Show and Sale on Saturday and Sunday, June 25th and 26th from 10 AM – 3 PM at Amesbury City Hall as part of the Amesbury Days celebration.