A Dog Day of August

Although this was written in 2009, today is one of "those" days

artwork by Barbara Haviland

courtesy of etsy.com - Barbsgarden

                  A dog day of August


I suckle droplets of joy
out of empty moments
by writing words
passing the time
till the evening comes to call
and it's time to read each syllable
through the shadow of my heavy lids


A smile
holding a backpack of hope
marches through my field of vision
then tiptoes gingerly across my lips
with a strangely familiar gentleness
I realize
you will read these words too
and then you, my love
will surely understand


              A dog day of August

 

Author's Note

right now the temperature is 96 with a heat index of 110......where is the walk in freezer? :)

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

"A smile
holding a backpack of hope
marches through my field of vision
then tiptoes gingerly across my lips"

Your metaphors are music for the soul, Lydi!
It's not too much cooler here in San Diego...how 'bout joining me for a tall glass of tea? ; )

[Lydia Shutter]

Sounds like a great plan to me, Kelly! :) Thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate your reviews. Lydi**

[Gandré]

yeah, the temperature! I am in Tampa and can sympathize... this poem was fantastically inventive... to say what you want to say 'through the flower' as Germans say..

[Lydia Shutter]

Interesting! I have never heard that expression, but I don't speak German, I speak Dutch. Thank you. Lydi**

[Gandré]

thank you for reading my postings :)

[Lyn Anderson]

This is beautiful, Lydi. It has a wonderful feel to it, unlike a sticky August day.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Mandy. Lydi**

[Dara]

"A smile holding a backpack of hope marches through my field of vision" This brings back memories of those first days before we had to go back to teaching. I am sure you can relate :-) You have a beautiful way of expressing even the most subtle and familiar feelings. A wonderful write, Lydi.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much. You always seem to relate to my words and that means so much to me. Lydi**

[AprilRN1210]

I love the rich descriptions, the imagery, and the metaphors in this one.. oh my goodness, "backpack of hope"... that is so fitting and clever and puts an image in my head that made me giggle with appreciation... I really enjoy your writing, it not only touches me in different ways, it stimulates my mind in the most delicious ways... another amazing write.. your talent blows me away.. I am a fan:)

[Lydia Shutter]

April, you are a sweetheart. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[AprilRN1210]

It was my pleasure.. You are more than welcome!

[willweb]

Lydi, this was beautiful, even on the hottest days the cool breeze of your poetry sifts through and makes everything so much better. I really enjoy your work. Your emotions and feelings are always reaching out to me as I read.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks, Will. Let's face it, our emotions are splashed on the page when we write. Lydi**

[willweb]

But yours always make such a beautiful splash.

[Lydia Shutter]

You are sweet...thanks...have a great weekend.

[MsJewel]

It's been a hot summer here in California as well Lydi...hopefully it will pass soon.
I'll have to reach for that "backpack of hope".

Hugs, Julie

[Lydia Shutter]

Today the thunder showers began early....that usually cools things off a bit. I know your weather is similar to ours here. Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

We feel them, we sweat them and we get tanned by them. Those hot steamy days of summer. I like the idea of "backpack of hope."
A wonderful one Lydia...:)..........................

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Sami. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome muchly...:).....

[redflutterby]

Amazingly we haven't had many dog days here in good old Virginia. Hard to believe because the heat index usually pushes us well above one hundred this time of year. As for your poem...it is lovely and carries a feeling of the sweetest love. Wonderful as always!!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much....hope your weather stays less than torrid. Lydi**

[redzone]

96 degrees in the shade and 110 degrees in the reading... and making it even more so is that your "love" will understand.. that's special on a "dog day of August" but on any day Lydi... even in the heat, it's a coolingly "nice" poem Lydi as only you can write... ~~redzone

[Lydia Shutter]

I'm so fortunate to have friends like you, Curt....even on the worst of days, you lift my spirits with reviews like this. Thank you. Lydi**