June Prophecy

Silently
the yellow of summer dissolves,
diffusing in translucence
of evening.

Beach umbrellas and leaning-back chairs
stand black against
a background more like glass,
ice, snow, than water.

A great blue heron,
stooped like a bent old woman
edges stiffly along the dock

and the crisp infinitude of heaven
chills stars to wintry blue.