Fond Farewell

Farewell to the beaches and the cloudless skies,
To the barbecue, snow cones, and cherry pies,
To late night parties and girls in bikinis,
Road trips, camp trips, and folks going crazy.
Goodbye to the kites flying in the wind,
Children spending all week with their friends,
To the fireworks bursting on the Fourth of July
With the fried foods, fruit salad, and cotton candy.
Going away are the favored county fairs:
Their exhibits and talents and all exotic wares,
The auctions, the prizes, the great hullaballoo
For the horses, sheep, cows, pigs… and llamas, too.
No more merry-go-rounds to capture the eye,
Nor Ferris wheel spinning lovers so high,
Up to the moon, smiling in their newfound love
Knowing they’ve been led to each other from above.
So long to the reunions our grandparents planned,
Goodbye dances till midnight to the new country band.
To outdoor weddings while the evenings are warm,
I must bid adieu to the week at the farm.
Goodbye to freedoms, vacations, and the laughs,
Trips to the zoo to see lions and giraffes.
And to this great season, I say clear as a bell:
I’ll miss my friend.  Sweet Summer, farewell!