Today’s poem

Slowly, the summer slips away,

Like the waves receding on the shore.

The sun’s light, once so bright, is fading, Nights are longer than before. Summer brought golden freedom, Riding our bikes, a chance to roam.

Eating barbecue burgers and ice cream. Finding shells among rocks and sea foam.

With homemade kites, we touched the clouds, That’s when summer removed all thought Of algebra, English Lit and comprehension, It’s gone! Everything I’ve ever been taught!

But now flip-flops are swapped

For stiff, laced-up school shoes.

And all the sand between my toes

Is a distant memory — just old news.

We push and shove on the school bus,

In itchy blazers and room-to-grow tights. Watching the swallows getting ready

To fly south on their autumnal flights. Teacher is droning on in the classroom.

My pen feels like lead in my hand.

So, I close my eyes and try to imagine

Those dented footprints I left in summer sand.