Summertime

 

SUMMERTIME

Remembering a day long ago—I think of you.

It was a sun-drenched bright summer in 1962.

Sixteen years old, dancing a rhythmic wish list,

hips practice moving—Chubby Checker’s Twist.

Stylishly flaunting cut-off jeans and halter tops,

painted toenails kept time to clapping flip-flops.

Swimsuits like underwear—a sunglass disguise,

walk to the lake carrying picnic basket supplies.

New batteries put into the coral color transistor

radio music beat loud—not needing to whisper.

From age of three like sisters, more than friends,

tight curl home permanent—wild fashion trends.

Ashore, inflatable air mattresses, folded square...

blow, puff, pant, gasped breath—a bit more air.

An afternoon floating on the lake like a cloud,

until rubber rafts collided, you yelled out loud,

“You snot locker!” Echoed fishermen laughter,

“You snot locker!” sent from boat to boat after.

A long-ago adventure told throughout the years.

Now you wear a hospital gown, I fight back tears.

Eager to hear, “You snot locker!” endless seasons.

You are in my heart for a lifetime of great reasons.

April Ryan is a Seattle native and retired bus driver who now pursues poetry and storytelling and keeping up with friends.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).
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for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" in the search function above.

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