July Morning (A Mikeydred July Dollar Prompt)

In the hush of a July morning

when the sky blushes soft and wide

the world exhales in golden silence

as dreams and daylight coincide

The air still carries firework sparks

from the Fourth when stars rained down

but now the hush is deep and drowsy

folded over field and town

A red maple stirs in Quebec's breeze

where Canada Day songs grow still

patriot drums fade into birdsong

rolling over lake and hill

The Dog Days stretch with heavy limbs

a shimmer rising off the street

cicadas chant their ancient chorus

in waves of dry and pulsing heat

Somewhere a town crier lifts his bell

and spills the morning like a song

each word a thrust of old tradition

spun where time and voice belong

A freckled boy with sticky fingers

sinks his teeth in July’s delight

a hot dog crowned in yellow mustard

his grin lit wild by noon’s bright light

And in Toulouse the echoes stir

of Bastille flames and storming feet

liberty rides on baking wind

and sings through every crowded street

A cowboy leans into the dusk

his shadow long across the land

the saddle creaks the prairie listens

to dreams held gently in his hand

Then Spooner’s Day turns tongue to tumble

with twisted phrases sweetly spun

"Better nate than lever"

someone laughs beneath the amber sun

And Cheesecake Day arrives unhurried

each café rich with sugar’s grace

lemon swirls and berry ribbons

soft joy melting into place

And who could miss the marching green

on Take Your Houseplants for a Stroll

with wagons pots and leafy pride

parading hearts from soul to soul

But still it’s morning I adore

when all July is tender flame

before the sun writes loud declarations

and time forgets its gentle name

So rise before the coffee sighs

step barefoot through the waking door

and meet the quiet king of summer

the sacred hour we all adore

July you blaze with mirth and meaning

a month of thunder song and flight

but in your mornings calm and golden

we find the poetry of light