Summer Solstice

A Summer’s Eve 
By Josh Watkins 

All is quiet, all is calm, 
The weight and sounds of the school year, 
have faded away. 
I lie here in the soft wavy grass, 
As the sun slowly dips behind the horizon. 
I feel the light warm breeze sweep across my face, 
Making the grass dance across my skin. 
Stars begin to fill the now darkening sky, 
And feel the world spin around me. 
I feel all my burdens and troubles 
fall of my back and seep into the soft earth. 
I can still hear the laughter and joyful noises 
of the day’s events, 
I close my eyes and let the moment 
wash over me 
like a wave crashing upon the shore of a beach. 
I hear the night come alive all around me, 
My nose twitches as a firefly makes its presence known. 
I slowly stand up, the wind rushes upon me, 
Giving a passing hello, 
I see a small orange glow of the toasty campfire in the distance. 
Barefoot, I walk calmly towards it, 
Taking care not to harm, the critters at my feet. 
The fire sparks and cackles, 
As if enjoying consuming the logs tossed into it. 
I gaze into the flames, bringing up every 
wonderful memory to my mind, 
warming me even more. 
I hear the frogs, hundreds upon hundreds, 
Happily singing, filling the night air. 
The pond is quiet, the woods are quiet 
everything is still. 
My eyes fall upon those around me, 
Making me feel glad I call them friends. 
But they are so much more than that, 
They are family. 
I begin to wonder if this is a reoccurring dream, 
I will face night after night. 
It is no dream, it is real. 
I lay down by the fire and fade off to sleep, 
With the moon shinning bright, 
with the stars all aglow, 
Portraying the beauty of a summer’s eve. 

Remember when I said I had written a tribute to other seasons and teased you with a few summer-like poems? Well wait no more because this piece is my official tribute to the summer.

Have you ever left the city and spent a summer evening in the country? I have. I've done it many times. There's something so peaceful and beautiful about being able to lie in the grass and stare up at the millions of glittering lights we call stars and planets. 

One summer, a year and a half ago, (after this poem was written), I was up in northern Wisconsin. I was in a bunk house when I decided to step outside ti check the dock. It was about 11PM and I walked down to the dock. I saw the distant cabin lights and fading glows of campfires. I could hear the fish feasting off unfortunate bugs. After a few minutes I headed back towards the bunk house and glanced at the sky. I stopped and stared in awe. Without the city light pollution, noise, and lacking nature, the sky was a brilliant array of mystical lights. I was in shock of how beautiful it looked. I stood there for as long as I could knowing moments like this were rare. It made me appreciate all that He had created even more. I marvel in serene moments like this. I wish that you all could one day experience this moment...and when you do, take it all in. Every moment, every detail. It's truly one of life's greatest moments.