Midsummer

On the longest day we play
into the night and the heat

inside us dissipates
into cool water the green

spring water covers
our feet the children splash

profoundly on the other side
of any stupid knowing

but the rush of sensation renews
as if having dreamed

and then waking suddenly
to find relief in the habits of place

we see other versions
of how we do what we do

in the counting of years
by features filled in by light

a young man behind me
I only dimly recognize

who we are and wander
the trails of memory

midsummer begins
a shortening of days