Midsummer’s Day: Three Fine Things

As the Widow Wyile’s arms pull
through the waters of the canal
she delights in multiple sensory elements
starting with being immersed
once again in these waters
under a blue sky and cradled
between two green banks
where the Iris people congregate
in the bend and in other spots
along the watercourse
their purple-blue ‘flag’ heads
beautiful and uplifting
their rhizome feet at home
in the edge waters 

The air is delicately rose scented
by the many mounded bushes
growing ever greater across the road
on the slope down to the river
five-petaled white multiflora
                        that conundrum plant
                        from away
spread by birds
feasting on its rosehips
facts invisible from within canal waters
where all is glee and glory
in this perfect tableau
the swimmers are part of
thrilling to the new season

To top off these afternoon marvels
a sudden surprising sight
catches the Widow Wyile’s attention
a sensible wonder unwitnessed heretofore
something small moving
         cross current
a short distance a-head
red-brown above water
intent on the opposite shore
and ah!     striped back
moving along at a good clip
clever chipmunk stroking
along with brave purpose
quietly going about its day
with clear trajectory and
  so
                   unwittingly
            marking memorably
       this year’s summer solstice
with buoyant small mammal swim skill