Category: summer

Nature’s Chase

Nature’s Chase

In the ivory warmth of summer
while frogs croak among the lily pads
and rustling leaves make harp-like music,
two squirrels scamper in a sprint
one behind the other:

scurrying sounds, a tangled mass of fur,
a frenzied steeple chase
across freshly mown grass,
then up the leaf-laden tree branches
and down again,
vanish into the swampy woods —

In the utmost heat of summer’s day
while orange-winged cicadas buzz and whine
and nikko blue hydrangeas droop from drought,
two swallows break forth in ecstatic flight
one behind the other:

chirps and gurgles, a tangled mass of feathers,
ferris wheels in the air
as they traverse gabled roofs,
alight leaf-laden tree branches
and up again,
vanish into the azure sky —

Have you witnessed nature’s chase?

There is a time
for playful pursuit,
a time
for slowing down,
to gaze into each other’s eyes,
walk hand in hand,
vanish
into the emerald forest.

D. G. Vachal © 2025

Image by Flo222 @pixabay

The Warmth of Summer Rain

featured in my poetry book “Where Love Dwells”, one of my favorite poems.

The Warmth of Summer Rain

I walk
barefoot
upon the springtime grass,
moss and lichen,
I am

flesh and bone
upon the cobblestones,
smoldering coals
upon melting snow,
I await

the warmth of summer rain
flowing
into ebony bowls of loam
where barks of lilacs come to rest
from their blooming,
they smile
at the dance of lilies —

I have traveled the continents
of the years,
countries of the seasons
under the opiate canopy
of space and time —

The years tell stories
upon the lecterns
of my face,
still
I am

younger than my days,
I carry the heart of a little child,
my tiny feet frolic
in the white linen warmth
of  summer rain.

by D. G. Vachal © 2013, 2025

*** Image by Chulmin1700@pixabay

Twilight


Twilight

Miles have I traveled this dusty road,
my feet throb from the journey’s pain   
as miniscule pebbles gather in my shoes,
and slowing down I think upon you
these ardent summer moments —

Will I ever find you again
if I retrace my steps,
remember the words I uttered
when you were by my side —

I only know that if I turn back,
the feeble light will fade
and soon
the darkness will engulf me.

I keep on walking,
closer, closer towards the golden sky  
that sings a sentimental melody
and for a fleeting moment I close my eyes —

I see your smile
then I know
you are beside me still.

D. G. Vachal © 2025

Image by J Plenio @ pixabay

Love Haiku 40:42

Love Haiku 40:42

40

beyond the distance
beneath the blossoming sky
footsteps of my love


41

pastel memories
silent waters call your name
willow branches bend

42

warmth on green mountains
emerald forest breezes
we walk hand in hand


D. G. Vachal © 2025

Image by Joshua Woroniec @Unsplash

Longest Day

Longest Day

More minutes to pirouette
upon this illuminated stage,
another sonnet rhyme to write,
a prolonged melody to sing
these moments
when the sky is a silken sheet
of cyan pale —
 
O Summer!
I am bewildered by the calm of palms
rested upon my knee,
absence of shoulder shivers,
your fragrant warmth embraces me
like a prismatic pashmina
while I wander through grass and flowers
of field and forest —

Give me these hours
while the albescent sun
hovers
over tallest mountain peaks,
let me drink of the madness of colors,
scarlet wine of roses,
tea green leaves,
punch of hibiscus pink,
pineapple,
purple grape —

When I have quenched my thirst
and the laughter fades into a silent smile,
let me bask just a little bit longer
in lambent daylight
before the shortest hours of twilight  
hasten to arrive.

D. G. Vachal © 2025

Image by Wiolette Plonkowska @ Unsplash