Second Song of Summer

Who sings first in the morning?

As the Sun pushes Daylight yet one more time.

Who is first to greet the dawn?

For several days it's been the House Wren,

Warbling at the day's possibility,

The Cardinal and Robin,

They seem to take turns.

I've never kept track,

Perhaps I should.

Each one does it's duty for several mornings,

then a new one steps in.

Today, it's a Song Sparrow.

How lovely, yet bittersweet to hear the Second Song of Summer,

A time when nights lengthen,

Pulling shadows with them.

The Sun inches south with each rising.

 Shorebirds are moving.

The Bobolinks and Meadowlarks,

Silenced by early haybines, have departed.

Warm days,

Days of beach time, of sunbathing,

are still here.

The summer people don't notice, but I do.

Winter is moving it's pawns,

In a very slow chess game,

One at a time.....

Taking the Knight, then the King,

Until the Queen of summer is captured.