fireflies dance
along the edge
of summer's last hurrah
as cooler air
deliciously descends
over
this small town night
daytime still etched by
the sweltering sun
in a ridiculously blue sky
relieved eyes spy
tender mercies
finally  foretold
in the subtle turning
of  random leaves
along the road

still opened to
June
your presence bookmarked
by well worn memories
that dwell in every corner
every space
on the wall
jam packed
with life treasures
my mind can't erase
your spot in this place
and struggles to accept
what actually is fact
remnants of you
are all
that exist

rockers invited me
to set a spell
those hypnotic hummingbirds
buzz around
the sugar water feeder
right outside the window
by the wooden stairs
summer grass and rampant flowers
entice
the toddlers driving
electric cars
older kids
talking to each other
no cell reception here
adults loiter around the red barn
memories shared
stronger beverages in hand
it was almost like  
any other family get together
Except
pizza boxes and pain
stacked the kitchen
while  the walls
displayed your conspicuous
absence
as
  we'd laid you to rest
with a 21 gun salute
just yesterday