Tag: Melinda Burns

The God of Late Summer by Melinda Burns

~ ONE ART ~ 2 Comments

The God of Late Summer

         after Lorna Crozier

The God of Late Summer
makes no apology as she sweeps up
the last of the long lazy days,
pulls the sun down ever earlier,
tips the top of the maple tree
with a hint of radiance to come

She sprinkles finches on the goldenrod
singing their little flute songs even
as their colour starts to fade
She brings you peaches,
heaped in bowls, sun-blessed
sweetness rising with every bite

She still brings heat but cooler
nights and promise of respite
from barbecues, picnics, family reunions
And downpours to make
you stay inside, looking out
the windows, listening
for the thunder

*

Melinda Burns is a poet in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Her poems have appeared in Fiddlehead, the New Quarterly, and One Art. Melinda is the author of “Homecoming” (forthcoming in 2025, Bookland Press).

On Knocking the Head Off the Buddha Statue by Melinda Burns

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On Knocking the Head Off the Buddha Statue

An urge to re-position the hostas around
the plaster Buddha in the rock garden—
Stepping around and over him,
traversing the little hill,

the uncertain rocky places,
my foot catches—
           he tumbles forward,
                      his head hits the stone—

I thought it smashed and gone
but the break is clean,
head separated from body
as is my own some days

I carry the severed parts,
to the table,
squeeze the last bit
of Krazy glue along the edges

Then, clamping them together,
my fingertips rough with glue residue,
I place my hand on his head,
close my eyes and press down,
pray for wholeness

*

Melinda Burns is a poet from Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Melinda’s poems have appeared in the Fiddlehead, Fall 2023 issue; Textshop journal; Mothering magazine; and forthcoming in the New Quarterly, Winter 2024 issue.