The Kings of Summer (to John Menard)   I dream of mates and double-dates  and the reign of Boyhood Kings; Of when we lay in barren fields  and watch’d the ‘Bird’ fall down; of how we'd ‘trip’ and fight and dance,  laughing at youthful things; When we swam the Old Mill Dam,  streak’d naked through the Sound. We exacted our sweet revenge  in your father's bottled ales, And were proud and invincible  unto the very last, Now you lay on a gurney-bed  so close unto the Veil; Answer me, lost brother, where lie  the Kings of Summer past? Did you see the Pale Horse coming -  the sweeping of his blade? If only I were there to be  your second in the duel - But I moved on and you remained,  so distant from my aid - O’, together we'd have silenced,  silenced the Fates so cruel. I dream of mates and double-dates  the breaking of the bough; Answer me, lost brother, where lie  the Kings of Summer now?                                  - Douglas H. Thew         COPYRIGHT