We rented a Jeep to travel over

rutted roads to the family’s

welcoming piney wood cabin.

When we reached our destination,

the panic I felt had dissolved into joy.

We were cloistered by the tranquility,

hominess and comfort of the

gingham curtains and canopied bed.

Outside, the half-moon sky recalled

the glory of the vast hours spent

reading, swimming or rowing the

tboat across the lake where we

talked through the idleness of

August’s green days and genial

nights that came in late summer.