Morning broke and the southern heat
came back to greet us
like a oven door opening
after a full day of cooking.

Chores were all done,
string beans were picked, tomatoes stewed
and the strawberries were preserved.

Grandma said, “ Boy’s, grab your swimming trunks,
we’re headed to the lake.”

My brothers and me didn’t need to hear that twice.
We had our bathing suits on, were lined up outside
ready to go faster than grease thru a goose.

Don’t know when or how Grandma got her license,
but if she drove any slower we’d be there tomorrow.
Now that’s slow being the lake is only
down the road a piece.

We finally pull up, piled out of Grandma’s car
pushing and shoving, typical tomfoolery
from boys our age.

Grandma gave us a look, which stopped us in our tracks;
she’s a superhero you know,
powers beyond our comprehension.
Anyways, the man behind the counter
looks us over and says:
“ Three nice children you have,
are they yours?”

My brother elbows me, tells me to listen up.
“Sir, did the good Lord fill your head
with beans instead of brains?
A woman of my age having three youngin’s.
Never in my life have I heard such foolishness”

Slowly she took her glare from his now nervous
sweating red face and directed it to her pocketbook.
Out came a plaid purse with chrome metal clasps
which she opened and handed the man the required
admission fee, 75 cents.

“Thanks mame, ya all, I mean, you and your grandchildren
have a right fine day.” Quickly he lowered his head
and went back to his Archie and Jughead comic book
hoping my Grandma would soon be gone,
which she was with all of us following like
chics behind a hen.

Goodwins Lake, crystal clear water with chains
segregating how far and how deep the water is.
Flour white sand on its beach front,
one lone lifeguard stand
overlooking the tree lined lake
which swung left ,then back aways .

In we all went, hoopin and a hollerin,
splashin and jumpin.
As the water met my face it was
cool and refreshing,
eyes open I could see clear to the bottom.

We got good and tired diving off the platform
out past the chains, Grandma would
check in on us from time to time,
make sure weez was havin fun.

Paddleboat was the best, pumping
the paddles, steering all over the lake.
Me and James sat side by side in one
while Rob, by himself, followed close behind,
him being the oldest and all.

Before long it was time to go
we got the holler, from the shore
“ Chilllll- dren, ya all come in now ya hear?”
Driving back home passing the ivy covered trees
of Prince Edward County Park
I knew this wasn’t the last time we’d be visiting
the lake and yeah ole beans for brains,
look forward to seeing him again too.

Copyright © 2008 Ronald J. Edwards