composing

seven times over
this unpaved road
remembering
waterfights as the sun went down
the beginning of summer nights
and only three more days of school

sky turned red
air gone just a little cold
barn cats gather like a congregation
at our ankles
wrapping around our feet like summer brambles
spiders start to freckle the barn windows
on bradly road
multiplying in fierce numbers
seven times over

the bush elms start to crack and crumble in this yard
bent spine of her favorite story
chapter by chapter
night by night
by bedside
window open to the night choir
the doorway between spring and summer
coming in to sweep her forehead
like my kiss goodnight