Late August Driveway

This is the end of summer school, the change
Behind the green wall and the steady weather:
Something that turns upon a hidden hinge
Brings down the dead leaf and live seed together,

And of the strength that slowly warps the stars
To strange harbors, the learned pupil knows
How adamant the anvil, fierce the hearth
Where imperceptible summer turns the rose.


from The End of Summer School, by Howard Nemerov


Finally the mosquitos have abated enough to walk down the driveway again. Of course, I had to take some antihistamine as soon as I got back inside, but it's still progress of a sort. Sitting on the porch now, in the dark, the crickets and grasshoppers are producing an impressive symphony of droning chirps, and somewhere out there on the driveway I know there are fat toads lurking about looking for an evening meal. My plan is to get enough sleep to wake up early, so I can go for a walk before it gets too hot. Then spend the rest of the day working on my classroom, which I can't believe isn't ready yet. The seasons may change imperceptibly, but I know the school year will begin all at once.