Changing Season

The city of roses only moments from home
brilliant colors makes Portlanders proud
all the rain was worth the end product
behold summer is officially days away

Marked by the sight of baskets floating in the air
some branded with corporate logos
but all so graceful in their flight
the winds have been told to stay still

Kayaks calling for use, my wish
the four wheeled gas machine
wasn't so small
or my constitution worthy of a river walk

Dogs that can march for days
in winter's embrace
smoother the grass
as if saying, "human this walk has ceased"

People of all sizes, shapes, and ages
wrapped in cocoons for three months
now reveal the barest layer
natural lithium oh divine

Students out for vacation
parade everywhere
the mall, the movie theater, the fast food station
one week of not being bored, tops

Ah but not all will escape the mad professor
some blissfully occupy the educator's domain
save the city manpower by shelving
while other's pay for minor offenses with community service

Backyard becomes a concert venue
guitars serenade unintentionally neighbors and passers by
late evenings feature the singing coach
hot tubbing away the basketball woes

“I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days - three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.”

John Keats