When Summer Comes to Call
When summer comes to call on me
I spread a blanket set for tea,
Invite the birds, the squirrels, and pups
to share my English china cups.
They scamper in by one’s, by two’s.
They wear their finest coats and shoes.
They come from bushes and from trees
and look as fancy as you please.
Along the garden’s edge we’ll play
and linger there the whole long day.
We’ll watch for butterflies and bees,
enjoy a tender whispering breeze.
Each guest will sing their own sweet song
some chirping short, some whistling long.
A few will bark, others will chatter.
We’ll raise a free and joyous clatter.
We’ll pat the snowballs on the vine,
pretend it’s winter for a time.
Then nod at all the little faces—
pansies pouting in their places.
We’ll thread green ivy in our hair,
braid dandelions for jewels to wear.
We’ll pluck a daisy just to see
if I love them and they love me.
We’ll stay all day and into night
to see the fireflies shed their light.
We’ll count the stars up in the sky
and watch the moon pass slowly by.
And not until the shadows all—
the ones quite short and those quite tall—
have disappeared into the night
will any of my friends take flight.
For celebrations such as this
provide the very sweetest bliss.
Then, when it’s time to go, we’ll say
we’ve had the most enchanting day.
A day, with wonder, we’ll recall
when autumn’s leaves begin to fall.
A day we will remember long
when winter storms with winds so strong.
And even still when spring draws near,
we’ll think of summer’s time of year.
It’s certain that we’ll all agree:
When summer calls it’s time for tea.
I’ll bake sweet biscuits, some with seeds,
and some for those with special needs.
When flowers bloom on bush and tree,
then once again we’ll meet for tea.