on the horizon
pushed onward by salty winds
sails in florida

all day rain fell soft
dusk brought air thick and steamy
within night’s darkness
first fireflies of summer flew
as dancers of the night air

for a day they say
it’s your birthday, not so fast,
to me, it’s more an
anniversary, one long
past the diamond jubilee

fireworks soar tonight
rockets of red, white and blue,
oooh’s and aaaah’s
between bangs, booms and thunder
rejuvenates our resolve

looking at a sky
blue and white, i am grateful
to just be alive

a sun disappears
behind a low horizon
summer solstice ends;
starting tomorrow six months
of shortening days
ending in long winter nights;
cold winds have begun
cutting deep into my bones
a frostbitten nose
ice fingers around my throat;
soon summer is spent
then another year has passed
our final winter draws near

achieved the art of
becoming extremely quiet

achieved the art of
never wishing to engage

achieved the art of
wanting to be left alone

achieved the art of
becoming a wallflower

achieved the art of
wanting to be overlooked

achieved the art of
dreaming of things never done

achieved the art of
comfortably holding back

achieved the art of
observation, listening

achieved the art of
living as an introvert
with peace of heart, mind, and soul