Here is a pantoum I wrote some years ago. Labor Day is one of my favorite days in Maine - when many thousands leave our state. (Copyright 2010 by Alice N. Persons)
Labor Day Weekend, Maine (a pantoum)
a river of traffic, tourists migrating south
returning to places “the way life shouldn’t be”
Winnebagos hung with lawn chairs, bikes, canoes
lemmings streaming away from the sea
returning to places “the way life shouldn’t be”
wallets lighter, clothes tighter, cameras full
lemmings streaming away from the sea
we love their money but it’s September now
wallets lighter, clothes tighter, cameras full
did Maine live up to their fantasies?
we love their money but it’s September now
time to take back our roads, beaches, parks
did Maine live up to their memories?
those who stay turn our thoughts to winter
time to take back our roads, beaches, parks
and for a while, revel in the quiet, shorter days
those who stay turn our thoughts to winter
the visitors say goodbye and pack their cars full
Winnebagos hung with lawn chairs, bikes, canoes --
a river of traffic, thundering south
Publisher of Moon Pie Press, a poetry press based in Maine, going strong since 2003. 100 books published, including 9 anthologies. The work of our poets, who live all over the U.S., has been featured on "The Writer's Almanac" on National Public Radio - 25 times ! See full catalog and lots more information on our website at www.moonpiepress.com.
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