The Last Breath of Summer

   Its that time again when the chill hits the morning air,
   The sunflower seeds are drying and falling to the ground,
   I gather the last spoils of summer as I make my garden rounds,
   Their is a shorter amount of time to bask in the sunshine,
   And tomatoes sit red and yellow on the vine.

  The last breath of summer means one last time swimming at the lake.  We ventured out, played in the sand and went for a swim.  The water is much cooler than it has been as if preparing for fall.  The level of the lake has fallen dramatically as farmers pump the last bit of water to their crops.  Goodbye to the diving dock, it is no longer deep enough.  The sun is still warm but not as sizzling.  One last backstroke gazing at the cloudy, blue sky.
   Already we are delving into fall activities; soccer, football, hiking and of course school.  But we are holding on tightly to the last breath of summer taking it in on the weekends, breathing it deeply to fill us until it comes around again.
   One last trek in the sand, tubes and towels in hand.  Sandy feet will soon be replaced with sock-clad ones.
   Each meal outside could be the last as the sun sets sooner and the nights grow cooler.  We thankfully sit around the table and breathe in all the fresh air we can get never exhaling too soon, not wanting it to leave our lungs.
   This summer girl loves her seasons but one stands out above the rest.  I was born in summer, born to be in water, born to have that fluidity to life that summer brings.  Inhaling, holding for as long as I can that last breath of summer.