Summer Vacation

Boys barefoot, hanging laundry on the line.

Outside with a baby on my hip ‘cuz the weather is so fine.

Sun hats on, making pies out of mud.

Canning squash every day just because we should.

Pigs are getting fat on all those eggs and Mabel’s milk.

Making jam from the finest peaches you ever smelled.

Joshie’s outside from sun up to sundown.

Mama will only leave the garden on the day we go to town.

Fresh potatoes but just a little, because of all the water.

Green beans and cucumbers… and okra for when it gets a little hotter.

Where is the winter squash, you ask, I thought you planted those seeds?

They’re between the ‘taters and the ‘maters, surrounded by all those weeds.

The children’s days are school-free as Mama finishes writing.

But they don’t mind cuz all of the weeding, canning, and reading seems to keep them from fighting.

Grow enough for two years, they say, in case next year is tough.

But I don’t know anyone, anywhere who really needs a dozen plants of squash.

So plant carefully, my friends, and put up what you can.

Because June only comes once a year, so soak it in while you can.

No, literally, soak it in while you can.