The Things That August Brings

At first it was a bumblebee
A bright and curious and nimble thing
That buzzed about with not a thought
Of what it should or should not

And once there was a kitten sent
Who, while we sat with friends,
Climbed up upon my lap
And purred into my ear,
A secret loud enough for everyone to hear

Then climbed back down, as kittens do,
And hid amongst the leather booths
A feline felon on the loose

One year it was a leaping frog
Something that could jump and almost fly
Inexhaustible, it was, and kind and spry

Holding tight, two larger hands
One firm and one unsure
This thing, for now, still small enough,
For lifting from the ground
And swinging in the air

And then a larger thing was sent
For one or two or even three

Augusts

A quiet, thoughtful thing
For that is how
That time is meant to be

Though, for then, this larger thing
Had pulled itself into itself
If one looked closely one could see
The frog, the kitten and the bumblebee

And then for years 
The things that August sent 
Were birds that took to flight on strong true wings
And soared to brave new heights
Though out of sight and far from home
We swelled with pride and filled with love

And now this August I think I see
What seems to be a maturing tree
With branches reaching near and far
And melodies whispered by its leaves

And I am, once again,
Grateful for the things
That August brings