Lavender

Watery sunshine queues behind cloud

The August rain holds fast to the ground
Lavender vapour rises like fragrant ghosts
In the garden all is quiet; save for
Wasps hunting in packs in hedgerows
Last winged meat for the royal brood
Lily buds stay closed on the still water
Potatoes hunker in earth on wilted stems
Tomatoes lay green still, on thick stalks
Jewels for the plucking on a later day
Then comes sun through parted cloud
Azure clear sky and high white clouds
No longer now do I feel the autumn
The frost may wait a while longer yet