I wrote this poem because, here in the northern hemisphere, summer is almost over and fall will be here in just a few days. But, at least where I live, you wouldn’t necessarily know it from the weather. The days are still sunny and warm, and it still feels a lot like summer, even though I know the cooler autumn weather will be arriving before long.
That got me thinking about what might happen if Summer and Autumn were actual people with jobs to do and schedules to keep. Maybe Summer can’t simply leave whenever he wants. Perhaps he has to wait for Autumn to show up and take over his shift first. And what if Autumn happens to be running a little late?
Of course, when Summer leaves us here in the northern hemisphere, he has somewhere important to go. In places south of the equator, such as Australia, South Africa, and much of South America, the seasons are reversed. Their summer runs roughly from December through March, while we’re having winter. So I imagined Summer getting ready to head south, with people there eagerly waiting for his arrival, while Autumn has reasons of her own for not being quite ready to take his place.
The result is a phone conversation between two very busy seasons trying to sort out their schedules.
Summer and Autumn
The Summer phoned the Autumn
and he asked, “Why aren’t you here?
It’s time for my vacation in
the southern hemisphere.
“My shift is nearly over and
it’s time for me to split.”
The Autumn answered, “Just relax.
I’ll be there in a bit.
“I’m shopping for an outfit.
I could use a brand-new gown.
I need an orange dress with lots
of yellow, red, and brown.
“As soon as I can find the one
I really want to wear,
I’ll come and take your place,
so please be patient. I’ll be there.”
“But Autumn,” said the Summer,
“There’s a place I have to be.
Australia sent a text to say that
they’re expecting me.
“South Africa’s been calling too.
They want me right away.
And down in South America
they’ve asked for no delay.”
So if it’s hot and sunny when
the Autumn should be here,
it’s just the grumpy Summer
working overtime this year.
— Kenn Nesbitt
