This past Memorial Day dawned bright, early, and quiet. We (shockingly) had no plans, so on a whim we decided to go visit my mother- and father-in-law in Brooklyn. I am so happy we did because it was a beautiful day filled with joy, sunshine, and contentment. So, of course I took the opportunity to sit back, observe, and write about it.
One Sunny Afternoon In Brooklyn
The planes thrum overhead
Across the big blue canvas
Brush-stroked with wispy weaves of white
The roar of their jets competing
With the Italian crooners
Streaming from daddy’s phone
And Nonno Frank’s sing-songy voice
“Bella Bella Isabellina”
Then, “Lucarello”
His ancient terms of endearment
Rolling quickly off his tongue
You barely even notice.
I watch the two of you sunbathing
Side by side, my diamond and pearl
Eyes closed
Thighs tensed
Arms stretched over your heads
Your fancy aquamarine goggles
Glimmering in the sun beams
Shining down
On the gurgling water
Spouting from the pink flower-tipped sprinkler
You’d danced over only a moment before
Tiny feet pounding the pavement.
For once, I feel content
Sitting back, playing the observer
With daddy and Nonno Frank
Underneath the shade of a
Long-forgotten cherry tree
In a quiet corner of Bay Ridge.
As the wind’s balmy breath
Caresses our sun-kissed skin
I close my eyes and think
Life is full of these small moments
Long and timeless
But constantly slipping through our fingers.
Hold on, hold on
Don’t go
The longer we hold on
The longer you’ll be here
And maybe, just maybe
We won’t ever have to say goodbye.