In Memory of my Cousin Panos, and of Summer

Here is a poem my late cousin wrote; he lived in Greece and was a literature professor and poet. I miss him very much. Enjoy the poem.

Thoughts of Summer
By Panos N. Panayoutounis
1934-2006

Autumn in its yellow uniform
Made of better cellules
Lurks into the fresh foliage of trees.
Birds with yellow beaks and doleful croaks
Are playing on my hands,
Upon these branches of expectation.
And though in our thick cotton jumpers,
We’re strolling about,
Though we keep every bird dead in the pocket,
Though we pour the sun out by the armful
Upon yellow leaves,
We’re still longing for the summer;
For what is in it like a magnet
Attracts us yet in the depth of autumn.
In other worlds blood and snow expect us.