They were refugees from the Costa,

escaping searing daytime heat

and wakeful night sweats

for Northumberland’s short summer.

 

Beaches that hardly seem crowded

even when the tide is in.

Shrieks of sandcastle excitement

amid the northern wind.

 

Thirsty hydrangeas soaking up the rain,

flagging hostas reprieved. Weather

as it used to be, while the south swelters.  

And now they’re back in Spain.

 

It’s still August in the borderlands,

but already autumn’s here.