Those Glorious Summer Days!

Summers at a South Dakotan lake

Were a constant delight.

My brothers and I--three young boys--

Lived each day outright.

 

Having been sent to stay with our grandparents,

We certainly didn't mind,

For every day was a new adventure;

We'd left our worries behind.

 

Mornings Gramp brewed our coffee--

He was the first to awake.

We drank it together as the morning sun

Shimmered on the lake.

 

He'd pour some coffee into his saucer,

Then lift it to take a sip.

I'd copy him and lift my own--

Mindful of my grip.

 

I'm sure I pestered him with questions.

He probably wanted to enjoy

The calm, peaceful summer mornings

Without a pesky boy.

 

But the loving man never complained;

The kindness showed in his eyes.

Those were special moments we shared

As we waited for the others to rise.

 

As soon as we could, we boys would dash

Outdoors to explore and play.

So many wondrous possibilities

And never a boring day!

 

My favorite activity was cowboys and Indians--

I got to wear feathers, you see.

I laugh when I look at photos of then;

We weren't very PC.

 

I don't know how I did it, but

We would catch frogs until

We had enough to cook frog legs

On a makeshift grill.

 

We also caught catfish, bullheads, and perch

As we fished off the pier;

Or we'd take the boat out on the lake

When the weather was clear.

 

Once when we were out on the water,

A summer storm approached.

We had to speed back to shore as dark,

Threatening clouds encroached.

 

Back at the house all hell broke loose

With lightning, thunder, and rain.

Gram feared a violent tornado,

Which was her constant bane.

She and I fearfully sat

By the cellar door and waited,

While Gramp snored away in his room

Until the storm abated.

 

When Gram and I weren't playing cards,

She would be making a feast.

In the kitchen she displayed her skills

As a culinary artiste.

 

I'll never forget her scrumptious cookies,

Rhubarb pies, and bread.

Needless to say, she saw to it

That we remained well-fed.

 

Gramp kept busy working on projects--

Building, maintaining, repairing.

Once in a while--to Gram's dismay--

We could hear Gramp swearing.

 

The days passed so gloriously by,

And it wasn't long before

Our parents set out for South Dakota

And suddenly appeared at our door.

 

Soon we left to visit more relatives

Before heading west.

Though we had left our childhood paradise,

We were wonderfully blessed.

 

Much older now, I'm more reflective

And still seeking wisdom and truth.

But I'll always cherish those glorious days

Of my carefree, golden youth.

 

(7-10-15)