August 2024

Today, we celebrate the birth of Gramma Jeannette, 
and tomorrow, the birth of Grampa Fran, 
also lovingly known as Grampa Friend. 
We had these two elders for many years, 
yet still, it was not long enough

I have a photograph of them together
walking up our driveway, Gramma carrying a 
lemon cake in a faded Tupperware container, 
him with a folding green and white lawn chair
arriving at our annual summer party

In the background, the corn fields are past knee-high
& the sun is slanted and hazy like a good summer day
the kids are in bathing suits with muddy feet 
and their friends are paddle-boating amongst
 dragonflies, tadpoles, and milkweeds

I don't need the photo to remind me of the love

it lives in my blood and bones and breath

xo
​