1950’s

prying open sticky eyelids mom in the doorway

on early humid mornings as she left for work

qlone I stretch my waking body hear the birds

the sounds of summer mornings

on early humid mornings as she left for work

smell of heated asphalt rising to meet

the sounds of summer mornings

not a breeze heavy underlying quiet

smell of heated asphalt rising to meet

voices carry as workmen shovel

not a breeze heavy underlying quiet

we leave right away, walking, laughing

voices carry as workmen shovel

black canvas bag flung over right shoulder

we leave right away, walking, laughing

sticking to lacquered woven straw BMT seats

black canvas bag flung over right shoulder

running along hot sand jumping on blanket corners

sticking to laquored woven straw BMT seats

barefoot  we collect splinters from the boardwalk

running along hot sand jumping on blanket corners

fries hot dogs knishes frozen custard

barefoot  we collect splinters from the boardwalk

burning skin feels alive

screaming into the sea

fries hot dogs knishes frozen custard

muscles flexing dancing bluebird tattoos

burning skin feels alive

screaming into the sea

bodies clinging in shadows under the boardwalk

muscles flexing dancing bluebird tattoos

orange shirted Lifeguards bobbing on catamarans

bodies clinging in shadows under the boardwalk

we sing, Sha Boom Sha Boom dayadadayada ya

orange shirted Lifeguards bobbing on catamarans

BMT home filled with suits and high heels

we sing, Sha Boom Sha Boom dayadadayadaya

the sounds of summer mornings

Martha Klein Henrickson 2002