Marking Endings

First
Monday,
September,
Paraded us
Between holidays
In Solidarity
Under the red, white, and blue.
To honor workers’ days unsung,
Grover Cleveland nodded his assent
And all prepared for the century’s turn.

Labor Day became a mark for endings:
Summer going ways of August dusks;
Hazy warmth leisurely waning…
Kids considering textbooks,
Squeaky sneakers on floors,
And bedtimes enforced.
Bees, though, circle...
Humming a
Relaxed
Buzz.