the air has that ripening
apple smell
& nights are cooler.
still, summer
threads sun to my skin
in the afternoon to blend
coconut lotion heated
to a gentle simmer
with my vanilla
& honey soap
to draw out bees
scenting that sweet.
I blow them gently off
candied skin–
who can blame them
when I smell of cakes
& frosting, even
as my mind moves to rooms
full of chalk and book dust
not beaches
and summer melons.
I might even
use baking
as a metaphor
but that is another fall thing
I do
& those apples
are not sweet enough
yet
in August
to begin
***At Dverse today, we are writing about summer–so I wrote about the end of it. http://dversepoets.com/
Susan Daniels Poetry 
oh nice…can so feel this with all the scents and texture…loved especially…
to draw out bees
scenting that sweet.
I blow them gently off
candied skin–
who can blame them
when I smell of cakes
& frosting….hmmm…nice… and heck yes…the apples are not sweet enough yet..but soon will be…
Claudia–thank you! Just SO VERY glad I have met so many talented voices over at Dverse–I am now a huge fan of your words/work 🙂
oh, this made me smile with all those scents wafting through the air as I read it… and now I am so ready for crisp fall apples…
Thanks, Kelly–yum–me too re. the apples 😉
I love the description “ripening apple smell.” That so much describes August; and yes, summer nights right now are cooler. Fall is in the air, but blissfully it is still summer. I enjoyed your write.
Mary, thanks so much. Yes, in the air, just a hint (especially at night), but it is coming…
Apples and not peaches. Your right…we are leaving summer and entering fall…apples are perfect for this. And I smell them, love them. Beautiful sfam.
(please forgive the your and not you’re. duh)
🙂 Yes, we are–though I must maintain we are still “officially” in summer until 9/22 or thereabouts–I am a late summer baby, not a fall one 🙂
Of course your grammar is forgiven 😉
This is quite a delight to the senses. All the sweet fragrances and thought of juicy fruit and then you go on to mention cakes and frosting… suddenly, I’m hungry! lol
Loved all the visuals in this Susan.
Thanks so much. I think it is time for lunch, myself 😉
Very lovely – the bees a bit worrisome – but the scents are terrific. k.
Thanks. The bees and I have an arrangement. They don’t sting me, and I don’t swat them. It’s a Baptist-Zen thing 😉
What I wonder is who’s baptist who’s zen? (Ha.)
Me Baptist. Them Zen. Kind of like Tarzan and Jane 🙂
If THEY were Baptist, the buggies would sting me for disappointing them and not being a big white flower 😉
Oh Susan – I really liked this – loved the aromas and the bees. Feels like the late summer with the move toward fall. Just wonderful! K
Thanks so much–just read yours–LOVED IT.
smiles…love all your smells…and laughed at he bees and brushing them off…we get that as well…so you are a teacher as well? our starts monday…
Not a teacher, but a mom who is ready to meet the new rooms next week for orientation 😉
Glad you liked the bees. We make friends through the summer, mostly.
I love it…it has summer written all over it…
Thanks, Boomie!
I love the title ~ a beautiful poem
Thanks so much, Polly.
Vanilla and Honey soap… hmmm that smells good! I love it.
🙂 that would be my fav 😉
mine too! I recently tried to make my own… but it didn’t work well.
Ohhhh–I need to hook you up with a friend of mine who makes soap.
I would love a great recipe!
I will ask & get back to you!
Thanks!
This captures so well that tipping point between summer and fall….and being not quite ready to let it go….loved how you talk about using baking as a metaphor- but then that’s something you do in Autumn….this makes me want to soak up those last few drops of sunshine- knowing that it won’t be long before the leaves are falling- so very good
Stu–thank you 🙂
I love September, but want to hang on to the warm afternoons…
Fragrant, delightful.
Thank you, Laurie!
Ahh the smell of coconut, don’t smell that as much these days with the 30+ sunscreen, still with honey soap… yes smells lovely!
🙂 yep, nice combo!
This is a wonderful celebration of the scents of summer…and there’s nothing quite like it!
So true, Victoria!
This is great. 🙂 Love all the scents. This is my favorite part:
“coconut lotion heated
to a gentle simmer
with my vanilla
& honey soap
to draw out bees”
Thanks so much! I like it too (not so crazy about the inspiration, they do get pushy 😉 )
Delicious piece, Susan. I love the ripe smell in the air and the candied skin. So many sweet and pretty images here. I like how you lead us into the next season, also. 🙂
Thank you so much! Writing this made me hungry…
First off — love the title!!
Second — I love the “sweet” monologue of this piece…like I can overhear your thoughts as you bask in the late summer rays.
Thanks so much! Really appreciate the comment 🙂
nice with a touch of sensual…esp the bees….hmmm…all i get are flies buzzing around…grins…maybe thats a sign i dont smell of cake frostings…hehe
lovely musings….:))
Thanks, Sonny 🙂
Yes, to draw bees, you must smell like dessert 😉
I love how you manage to celebrate the smells of both summer and fall. Your bees and their attraction to you brought back memories. I want to quote all of your lines back to you to feel the way I do, but I won’t. I am blessed to get to read such luscious poems.
Oh, Susan–thank you! Blushing now…
such richly woven words! i can smell your candied skin…pretty pretty poem!
Thank you Mohana 🙂
really nicely done. Excellent read. Really like the descriptive choices here, paint a very visual image. Thanks
Wow–thanking you so much!
Descriptive words and roll on apple pie autumn!
😉 you are making me hungry for some pie 🙂
the nature of scents and tastes propel me through this vivid picture
Thank you very much for commenting 🙂
My pleasure Susan wonderful to read you 🙂
Likewise 🙂
I like this–especially the way you took a non-summer fruit, and made it the essence of end-of-summer wistfulness. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
Apple season! There was an orchard we frequented in Vermont, and in fact, I wrote it into Twinned. So love fetching apples, and yes, I’ve been in a tree. 😉
Oh, I can’t wait. There is an apple orchard about 5 miles from here, and the kids and I will bring back a bushel or two (one for drying–yum!)
LOVE your imagery! wonderful!!!
♥
Oh, Dani–thank you!
I feel I am walking in your sandals….
Thank you, Katy!