Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Summer's Swan Song

                                                                                                  Julie Kemp Pick


The days are getting shorter,
The house has lost its zest.
Everything is now in order,
Though I'd rather have the mess.

No more waiting up all night,
Grateful for what the cat dragged in.
Check-out time is after midnight,
Wondering if I'll ever see my car again.

Lakeside walks, playful lollygagging,
The smell of delicious barbecue fills the air.
Wishing I hadn't wasted precious time nagging,
Hence everyone's memories would be held so dear.

Summer ales; ailing hearts plead for its return,
The boys are quickly growing into men.
The sun is fading, yet it stings the burn,
My husband is stuck alone with me again.

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30 comments:

  1. HilaryAugust 24, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    Hi Julie .. lovely poem signalling the end of those long hazy days of summer .. boys home, piles of friends ... and piles of .. the things that make a home .. and lots of conversation, joy and happiness - now comes the quietness of togetherness - enjoy .. cheers Hilary

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  2. RHYTHM AND RHYMEAugust 25, 2011 at 3:01 AM

    Wonderful poem Julie, I could imagine what you were writing about, A good read.

    Yvonne.

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  3. AnonymousAugust 25, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    I'm not ready for summer to end but end it will..the light is changing, the mornings are cooler. We need to make the best use we can of these last few decent days before we start wearing light jackets and the march is on to winter. Lovely but sad poem.

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  4. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 25, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    But now you will enter a new season!

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  5. AngelaAugust 25, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Hopefully he likes spending time with you. My husband woke me up early this morning to ask about the laundry, arrrrrrrrrrg.

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  6. Rosalind AdamAugust 25, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    So sad but they'll soon be back to visit and then you'll be clearing up and wondering where your car is again!

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  7. julie feddersonAugust 25, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    That's a beautiful poem--kids leaving home is so bittersweet. Although maybe you and hubby can start a new hobby. I vote snorkling. Although I hear planking is the new rage.

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  8. Doralynn KennedyAugust 25, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Wonderful poem. My son has flown the nest too. Fortunately, he lives just two blocks away... whew. Still, it's empty without him at home.

    This is the second blog post that has me thinking of the song "Turn Around." The lyrics of that always bring tears to my eyes.

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  9. Susan Flett SwiderskiAugust 25, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    The house sure is quiet after everyone leaves, isn't it? Lovely poem.

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  10. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 26, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    @Hilary - I hope you mean piles of laundry! "Quietness of togetherness" has a nice ring to it! Thanks Hilary!

    @Yvonne - Thanks for the kind words!

    @mbj/Delores - Great idea to take advantage of the wonderful weather while it lasts!

    @Alex - I do love the fall colors!

    @Angela - My husband also likes to have conversations with me when I'm on the phone, sleeping, or stepping into a crowded elevator! Hope you went back to sleep!

    @Rosalind - Let the good times roll!

    @Julie - Planking is so last week! We're really into horsemaning now! Please try to keep up!

    @Doralynn - Only 2 blocks away is an ideal situation! Now I can't stop singing Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Rait and Turn, Turn, Turn by The Byrds! Thanks Doralynn!

    @Susan - It's so quiet that now I'm more aware of all the house settling noises! That will fade once the raccoons get bored and start jumping on the roof again! Thanks Susan!

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  11. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 26, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  12. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 26, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    ***Note To Doralynn - It's Bonnie Tyler not Bonnie Raitt (with 2 T's)! Just in case anyone really reads this! Julie

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  13. Talli RolandAugust 26, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    I actually quite like the return to routine again in September. This autumn is going to be crazy, but I'm looking forward to it!

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  14. Julie FlandersAugust 26, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Lovely poem, Julie. I really liked the idea of summer as a metaphor for your sons' youth as well.

    You always end with a funny line, I had to laugh about your husband stuck alone with you. I bet he doesn't feel that way.

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  15. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 27, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    @Talli - Great things will be happening for you and Willow!

    @Julie - You always go out of your way to say the right thing! I'm lucky that he's such a good sport! Thanks Julie!

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  16. Misha GerrickAugust 27, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Aw beautiful poem! I love how well you conveyed the love and nostalgia. :-)

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  17. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 27, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Thanks for the very kind words Misha!

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  18. Carol KilgoreAugust 27, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    I'd like our high heat to go away so we could actually enjoy summer.

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  19. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 27, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Carol, I will be thinking cool thoughts for you! Try to stay close to the freezer! Julie

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  20. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comAugust 27, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    That's a great poem, Julie. I really like "yet it stings the burn." Must be a time of mixed emotions. You're stuck with your husband too, so I assume it balances out. (?) =)
    xoRobyn

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  21. Rhonda @Laugh QuotesAugust 28, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    Excellent poem Julie, I almost missed it. I hope you don't feel "stuck."

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  22. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 28, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    @Robyn - Yes it is all about " balance!" The sting is that it hurts when they leave, but I know they're having some of the best times of their lives! Oh and they are learning a thing or two! Thanks Robyn!

    @Rhonda - Don't you know me well enough by now not to take me too seriously? I was trying to end on a light note. Ha, you had me going there! Thanks Rhonda!

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  23. AnonymousAugust 28, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    That's great news for hubby, right? My wife and I both work out of the home and we're stuck together. Overall it works out well.

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  24. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 29, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Stephen, I think that is a great arrangement! Especially if you have a big house! Thanks for dropping by! Julie

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  25. Lou's WriteclubxxAugust 30, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    JULIE~BE GLAD FOR THE MEMORIES~~~BE GLAD.....XOXO

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  26. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 30, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    lou, I'm very glad and fortunate to have them! Thanks for reminding me! xoxo

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  27. Arlee BirdAugust 31, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    I can relate to this.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  28. Empty Nest InsiderAugust 31, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Thanks for stopping by Lee!

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  29. Nancy ThompsonSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Ha, I love that last line! Being that Seattle hasn't had much of a summer, it won't be too hard to let it go. Now that fall is around the corner, I'm ready to start writing again. I think the depressing Seattle gloom is more conducive to writing. So I won't complain.

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