the light seems to linger in summer
she wants to stay longer than necessary
drawing out the days until they bleed together
until the distinction of time loses all meaning

everything seems magical in summer’s thick air
the smeared sunset casting rays of light like watercolor over the ocean
the rides to the beach in the jeep
even the rainstorms have a warmth to them

but the most magnificent of all is the night

the night that isn’t really the night because it is comforting
where the darkness encompasses you like an old lover
the moon comes out and bathes the world in her milky glow
and the stars that hold the secrets of thousands before welcome you to share yours

i feel safe in the summer night
as the world finally feels quiet
my only company are the waves gently lapping at my feet, the moon above my head
sometimes i will stay on the beach until the first rays of sun reflect on the wooden boats
the sand cooling my feet after previously burning them

but summer is always fleeting, never wanting to stay
before you know it, the warm nights give way to bitter ones
and the soft breeze at your neck turns biting

the magic is gone for now
and yet she always returns just when you need her
she needs only a rest
but she will return each year and make you feel alive once more