A LATE SUMMER DAY

Children play a game
of their own making
involving chalk, leaves and rocks,

while adults gathered
‘round picnic baskets
laugh at their creative antics,

a red-tailed hawk circles above,
letting the wind guide its path,

its wings reflect in the glistening pond,

in a nearby field
a solitary sunflower,
following the arc of the sun,
tilts slowly from east to west

soaking up nourishment
from its rays of luminous light
while bringing delight to all
who witness the spectacle of its
wondrous, late summer presence,

a precious gift before its seeds
turn into food for hungry birds.

and the circle of life continues.

Photo of Sunflower by Marti Durkee Garvey – noted photographer based in Nashville, IN