Saturday, August 1, 2015

August

August, when the atomic bomb was dropped a year before I was born.

I remember an August childhood vacation trip in Canada with my family
Staying at some motel near Montreal listening to the radio at night with my brother
In bed in the dark hearing the horrible stories of the survivors of Hiroshima
Not understanding the import of what I was hearing.

August, when cancer took my mother I was still a child.

I remember in August being allowed into the hospital room to see my mother
Ushered in with my brother and sister we are standing by her bed
Not told it is our good-bye visit but sensing what is happening
Soon ushered out again when my mother is crying softly as am I.

August, when we begin counting the remaining days of summer.

I remember the glorious August sunsets seen on vacation in Vermont
Staying in a grand house named Great Oaks on a dirt road
With a pond and brook across the road for a boy to explore
With a dairy farm down the road where I was welcome to wander around.

August, when sweet corn picked fresh from the field comes into season.

I remember shucking the back yard corn and picking tomatoes from the vine
And snapping green beans plucked from the garden to cook for dinner
Savoring good fresh food when there is plenty
Even as the days get shorter and the tree leaves lose their sheen.

August, when my birthday is a time of remembrance.

Waiting my turn after my older brother in June and my younger sister in July
My mother taking me and some friends to see a Red Sox game at Fenway
Not understanding then it is too proximate to her troubled marriage anniversary
We have very good seats behind first base and I can see the players are real people.