Memorial For The Family Cabin

 

This Summer – no baptism

into cold water at the end of the dock.

No yearly ritual of swimming

to the buoy and back, freeing

my dormant muscles from winter’s

confines.

 

This Summer – we have memories,

a haphazard tumble of photographs,

and a signed real estate agreement.

 

Snapshot: five kids posed on the front of Dad’s boat.

Four boys surrounding one girl. Our ages range from smiling

school age to grumpy adolescent.

 

Snapshot: birthday party for our Irish Grammie,

toothless grin as she blows out the candles

celebrating 80-some years.

 

Remembrance.

Renewal.

Absolution.