In the Fullness of Summer

In the fullness of summer

when fruits are ripe

and the plants that produced them

have not yet faded

we dance,

we celebrate and feast

and laugh.

Tomorrow we must

put by for winter

(in our way)

a part of our wealth,

and hope it lasts

until spring.

But today,

yet today,

we sing and sway

and revel in

the sweetness of each berry,

each warm cherry,

tomatoes, too,

whose reedy juices

run down our chins

anointing us

with that form of holiness

often overlooked--

pleasure.

                        Laurie Anderson

                        Summer 2012