Goodbye, summer.
Goodbye, beach.
What a bummer.
Dripping eyes.
Goodbye, late mornings.
Goodbye, late nights.
Parental warnings
on the rise.
Goodbye, foreign travel.
Goodbye, blue suitcase.
I might unravel.
School’s ahead.
Hello, old friends,
unseen since June.
Hello, backpack, pens.
Ouch! Pencil lead.
Hello, new teachers,
new locker, new friends.
Hello assembly bleachers.
This again.
Clanging steps remind me.
I know this pattern. Known
sounds and scents are key.
I am zen.
Copyright 2016 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: Happy Labor Day! This poem is dedicated to all the students across New England (and elsewhere), saying goodbye to summer and hello to school. This photo was taken at Crane Beach, Cape Ann, Ipswich, Massachusetts on Friday, September 2.
31 thoughts on “Goodbye, Summer”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
Such wonderful expressions! “Ouch, pencil lead” – I love this! You get all prepped to write something wonderful, and a pencil jab to the finger quickly brings you back down from your daydreams! 😉
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Thanks, Jane! Always a pleasure to have one’s poetry understood and appreciated. That pencil has so many uses. 🙂
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For kids autumn does mean going back to school. For me, it’s a slow down on the painting of street art.
LOL! I want all kids to have a great year at school!
Sath says hello to you and he seemed quite humble about the fact that you wrote a poem to his art. He stayed a few extra days in TO. I watched him paint a piece in an alley nearby, and he joined us for dinner What a lovely person. His wife works for Green Peace! ⭐
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He is very talented. I’m glad he was pleased I wrote a poem, but humble. Wow. 🙂 I am honored that he permitted the use of his art. 🙂 XOXO
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Wrap those hearts and minds in leaves of red and gold, encourage deep breathing of clean Fall air, and welcome the next step in the never ending staircase of life.
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Changing leaves are coming, but they are still green. Thankfully. 🙂
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Lovely poetic thoughts. Thanks for sharing Brenda.
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Thanks for stopping by, Julie!
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My pleasure!
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But Fall Though!!!!!!
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I do love fall. The leaves are so beautiful, and the cool weather a balm after summer’s endless heat.
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Beautiful photo Brenda and I like the mix of sad and optimism in your words. Happy Labor Day!
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Happy Labor Day to you! And thanks.
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I agree with you. I love the summer time!
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I love the freedom and the beach days best.
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Love the photo too!
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Thanks, Lynn!
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It’s over faaaaaaaaaaaaaar too soon :O
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Yes, it is. 🙂
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😀
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AH so sad – I hereby pronounce it is May31 st and we are just entering the beginning of summertime fun!
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Wa-hoo! I’d go for it. My daughter announced that summer should be two months longer. 🙂 I pointed out that would mean sacrificing next summer’s vacation, and she wasn’t willing to do that!
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Good one Brenda!!
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I always dreaded the end of summer when my children were young…..sigh~
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I even want my 14 year old around. Most of the time. 😉
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I’m glad I don’t have to go back to school although when I was a kid, many years ago, it seemed like the summer holidays just went on and on for ever. Great poem.
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My kids never want to go back, but we always have a blast in the summer. I’m always sad when it ends, too.
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I so agree with that…summer is the best of everything.
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Yes. While I love Spring and Fall, they bookend winter, and occasionally embrace it.
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beautiful and bittersweet (for teachers too) –
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I tried to fit in the teacher perspective, but the story didn’t flow for me. I imagine it’s even harder for you all, because you start even earlier than the kids. While it’s still hot!
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