It already feels like long summer days have arrived here in North Carolina. Dusk has brought a few twinkling fireflies, and we’ve harvested cucumbers and okra from our little garden. While nesting season is slowing down, some songbirds are watching over their final broods. (Hello, bluebirds!)
The sun lingers longer, the air is thicker, and we are in desperate need of rain. Meanwhile, the school bus made its last trek down our road last week.
As I’ve gotten older, the spirit of summer has changed for me. I am less tolerant of heat and humidity but enjoy evening balmy breezes. My creativity seem to wane as summer’s abundance shines in full sunlight. Yet, I am open to the season’s magic and wonders…
Dusk has become my favorite time of day. The resident hummingbird and I share a rhythm of eating and watching the sun retreat behind the tree canopy. The female flits between the hummingbird feeder and her perch—a small twig on our fig tree.
In contrast to the fiery quality of a June day, dusk brings gentleness. I watch the bird’s silhouette against a muted sky and treasure this ritual at day’s end with this tiny, magical being. It’s a soothing, slowing down after a high energy day for both of us.
As I’ve written about before, summer is a season of fullness—calling for play, for adventures near and far, and, yes, for rest and sacred pauses. In that spirit, I point you to a few reflections that I’ve written over the years that touch on the sundry sentiments of summer.
“A Storied Shell” explores how childhood collections inspire childhood memories and storytelling.
This piece on “Soulful Micro Seasons” reminds us to search for the small wonders in our own backyards, even when things may seem still and stagnant.
And this mini essay “Illuminate” conjures a bit of magic as I marvel at moonbeams, moths, and fireflies in a summertime state of wonder.
Finally, I leave you with a spell of summer and a poetic invitation.
Spell of Summer
by Stacey Hayes
Bees on balm,
cottontails in clover,
firefly sparkles in dimming light,
a nearly risen glowy moon.
Two squirrels with reddish tails,
childhood tales and baby ear shells.
Magic and mystery,
delight and predictability.
Rhythms as wonder,
swirling skies and rolling thunder,
dragonflies and dandelions,
hummingbird wings fluttering—
luminescent, transient
sky, sun, and sea.
May what glimmers and shines
surround me,
May the scared live within me.
Wondrous, abundant season of summer.
~
A Poetic Invitation
Explore the idea of “summering” by writing a list poem that begins with:
Summering is . . .
Allow your images and imagination to flow without overthinking too much. Try writing in your favorite spot outside.
A Spell Poem:
If you are feeling a sense of enchantment, you could write a playful “Spell of Summer” poem using casual, free verse. Try describing the magic of summer in the natural world and include your hopes for the coming weeks.
