Sounds of Summer

Growing up in Western Pennsylvania

entitled me to a summer different from

any I have experienced elsewhere.

There is something magical in the air

and maybe only my "sweet dear 

closest neighbor and friend

from age three on"

can truly understand it.

Dorothy - this is for you -

this is for us.

Remember when........

The stars and the fireflies just came together in

the dark night sky

and we would valiantly try to catch

fireflies and make a jar full of magic ??

Remember lying on your back in the cool green grass

and looking up at the clouds

trying so hard to see images and then

trying even harder to make your companion see it too

Do you remember the sound of the lawnmower

And the wonderful smell of the newly cut lawn

The sound of the radio on a summer evening

All over the neighborhood we could hear everyone

tuned in to the baseball game.

Sometimes we were hearing the TV

and our Dads yelling at the team

Those were comforting sounds.

"Go , Pirates" !!!

And, very late at night, as we slept,

we could hear that soothing, humming

sound of the cars as they drove down

Route 51, about a mile away.

We would play hide and seek

till long past dusk

and try to keep away from mosquitoes,

We rode our bikes everywhere

long before helmets.

The sounds of cicadas and frogs and 

katy-dids

The sound of thunderstorms and

the flash of lightening

And, the best sound of all,

our Moms -

calling us to come home.

The sights and sounds of summer.

Do you remember ???

I know Dorothy will.