The sun stretches its arms across the sky
not reaching but gathering
pulling everything into a slow exhale

we walk through heat-hazed mornings
shoes forgotten on grass still damp
with dew we didn’t notice falling

there is something sublime about this weightless warmth
settling on shoulders like a worn blanket
soft enough to forget what winter felt like

bees blur in golden air
children draw circles in concrete dust
their chalk lines blooming before sunset

and night comes down differently here
no sharp edges left standing
just amber dusk wrapping round wrists
round ankles
around the quiet pulse of home

summer folds us all gently
tucks our restless thoughts beneath skin
teaches us how to breathe without counting seconds

even grief slows down
sitting on porches swaying in rhythm
waiting out another day folded warm inside itself

JH