Ray Zimmerman
Published 2013
Sun passes the equator.
Warm thin days
Mark fading year.
With enduring cold nights,
Sun races to vanish
In solstice darkness.
Male birds fade
To dull plumage.
Cranes move south
Follow geese and plover
Bound for the gulf.
Fox and coyote
Put on longer coats.
Taurus, Bull of Heaven,
Bane of Gilgamesh,
Scorched the earth.
He retreats skyward.
Orion pursues
Backed by loyal hounds
Cicadas cease their buzz and retreat.
Katydids rule the night,
Repeat scandalous gossip.
Katydid!
Katydid!
Katydid!