The high temperature today was at least 94
Corresponding to the number of years Rosie has seen in her
life.
The intense summer heat wave of late July penetrates indoors
Where the window fan breeze cools her somewhat as she sits.
We went to her Brooklyn apartment and sat with her talking
Exchanging news of people we know and things we have learned
And heard the story of why she has no air conditioner
As we ate key lime pie sipping lime seltzer in the heat.
There used to be one but it was too much trouble
Having someone lift it in and out of the window every year.
Now there’s one that sits on the floor but she doesn’t run
it
Since emptying the water takes more strength than she has.
So Rosie tolerates the heat without complaint
Living the way people lived when we were born
And before that when Rosie was born
Before air conditioners made possible the migration South.
And we talked about what it was like in those days
Remembering sitting in the shade of a tree hoping for a
thunderstorm
Ready to run out into the cool wet downpour when it came
Remembering when movies got air conditioned and then
supermarkets.
Remembering when it was too hot to fall asleep
Waiting for the sun to go down and the fireflies to dance at
dusk
Longing for the evening breeze to come into my bedroom
Listening for the rustling of the leaves in the trees outside.
Sometimes we would escape to the beach or swim in a cold
lake.
Sometimes we would take a car ride just to catch the breeze
Hanging my head out the window to be swept by the wind.
I always remember those summer days when I was growing up.
I think for Rosie it’s not such a problem like it is for us
When she grew up used to contending with the heat
When she has lived as an adult so many years getting along
Something she learned to do that young people don’t do.
So Rosie can do without an air conditioner
But you understand that’s not the reason why not.
She doesn’t want to be a bother to anyone in any way
Though she would make us happy to let us help.
We have a spare unit we can bring with us
To set it up in the window when we next visit.
Rosie thought about our offer and decided
Not now. Maybe next
year.
