Remember awaiting summers so bright

when school was out and we’d be free to fly

out the doors, and down the steps, every flight

unshod in shorts off to the lake, blue sky?

The water waited, undisturbed, rope dangling down

to fling us over the bluff, to catapult

us to that boisterous splash, skin turning brown.

Sun baked, stretched out on docks, we’d trade insult.

               Remember the long summers of childhood?

               Growing up strong, like trees in the wildwood…

We caught fine fish, and built camps in the wood,

collected peculiar shells from the beach.

Traded marbles won in games, sun felt good,

played freeze tag, running just out of reach.

We made up adventures of pirates bold

(we each cast ourselves as the hero)

till summers rolled in autumn leaves, bright gold.

By turns we’d be an animal, a princess, a pharaoh.

               Remember the long summers of childhood?

               Growing up strong, like trees in the wildwood…

Age crept up like a stalking cat and pounced

on ageless consciousness trapped within

till our bodies like autumn leaves, announced

they could not finish all that we’d begin.

Still we pack for back country summers now,

we practice our stretches, bring polar fleece.

We plan our excursions and wonder how

far we must hike out to get any peace.

               Remember the long summers of childhood?

               Growing up strong, like trees in the wildwood…