Late Summer

for my sister Sharon (yet again)

you'll wear your trapeze pink
and dangle from a cloud
or we'll go gleefully

to the five and dime
in search of dangly earrings
once upon a time

and come back with hair ribbons instead.
lilac cologne.
new stationery with fanciful borders.

that was the summer we planned.
and hamburger stands
and blowing out straws

at our Grandfather
sitting at the little table
thinking we were grownups

while he beamed.
and we breathed in pink and green

watermelon after the games.
already we were full up on cracker jacks
but he would have to explain

to Grandmother
why we looked sick
at the mention of supper.

though double dipped ice cream
was not amiss.
I remember this.

how the mown grass fragrance
made me want to never leave.
the drone of airplanes above

the vivid zinnias.
and the sky trails.
how I cherished

getting the mail
full up with school ordered paperbacks.
the summer classics.

the quick fizz of coca cola
in the jelly glasses
poured over ice.

the sifting of days.
the malted ways.
piano pieces in the afternoons.

I miss you all.
and call you over
the backyard fences of Heaven.

mary angela douglas 14 april 2019