That Summer On the Lake

Finally, as afternoon sun splayed
through the picture window
onto wood floor and last pieces of furniture,
I packed that summer on the lake
into a box, mitering indigo corners
between squares of bubble wrap, 
ripples appliqued with lilac jacaranda blooms
blown on the water.

Kids would leave for college and grandparents died,
but that year bees hovered in marigolds and violet alyssum.
The moon's marshmallow singed umber, impaled on a hanger 
over golden flames.  Dawn's opalescence would flicker
in pale aquamarine, receding shadows uncovering
beads of cerulean icing and pink lemonade shimmering
on shamrock and juniper.

Tiers of skinned knees and runny noses now framed
by cardboard and plastic were stacked like red velvet cake
atop a knotty pine picnic table as terns called in the distance,
then sealed with oak and concrete of our final day as we cannon-balled
off dock's end like it was the last thing we'd ever do.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Caliri Avatar
May 4, 2021 at 5:06 PM
Great job finishing 5th in my contest, though it was written 3 years ago, I liked it enough to put it in my top 5. A carefully crafted gem of a poem.
Pandit Avatar
January 27, 2019 at 10:21 AM
I enjoyed the details and imagery..every bit as authentic as real life is. Congrats, Dale on your well deserved win.
Cozart Avatar
January 27, 2019 at 10:36 AM
Thank you, Vijay.
One Avatar
January 27, 2019 at 9:18 AM
Great storytelling and recollections Dale.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest..
Cozart Avatar
January 27, 2019 at 9:22 AM
Thank you, sir.
Allison Avatar
December 12, 2018 at 3:19 PM
gorgeous gorgeous imagery and you know I love your use of colour:-) many congrats on your win Dale:-) hugs Jan xx
Cozart Avatar
December 12, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Thanks so much, Jan!
Devonshire Avatar
December 12, 2018 at 5:21 AM
Dale, I really enjoyed this poem of childhood remembrance, especially the way you describe the activities children pursue at the lake in summer. Congratulations on your win! There were many terrific entries, including yours. Thank you for participating in the contest. Best wishes, Carolyn
Cozart Avatar
December 12, 2018 at 8:13 AM
Thank you, Carolyn.
Harper Avatar
October 12, 2018 at 11:33 AM
Dale, wonderful homage to a painful and colorful time, congratulations on your win.
Cozart Avatar
October 12, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Thanks, Sheri.
Ashley Avatar
October 2, 2018 at 9:50 PM
Congratulations on your excellent win, Dale, with your beautifully emotional poem. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Cozart Avatar
October 3, 2018 at 7:59 AM
Thank you, Susan.
Doll Avatar
October 1, 2018 at 4:16 PM
Such an amazing free verse, Dale. Congratulations on your win.
Cozart Avatar
October 1, 2018 at 4:46 PM
Thank much, Warren.
Hamilton Avatar
October 1, 2018 at 11:24 AM
Great storytelling Dale, congrats on another win!
Cozart Avatar
October 1, 2018 at 2:02 PM
Thanks so much, John.
Haight Avatar
September 25, 2018 at 7:39 PM
Such lovely memories and imagery in your well-written poem, Dale. Congratulations on your win! Sandra
Cozart Avatar
September 26, 2018 at 8:28 AM
Thank you, Sandra.
Roper Avatar
September 25, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Dale, great colorful imagery. Congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve
Cozart Avatar
September 25, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Thanks, Eve!
Gauthier Avatar
September 25, 2018 at 5:15 PM
Congrats again on your top win, Dale. It gave me a chance to reread this beauty and save it as a FAVE. Lovely.
Cozart Avatar
September 25, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Thanks so much, Line.
Bangalee Avatar
September 18, 2018 at 10:03 PM
excellently depicted the image of summer lake by poetic diction
Cozart Avatar
September 19, 2018 at 8:15 AM
Thank you, Mahtab.
De Beaulieu Avatar
September 18, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Hello Dale,so sad when it is the last day on the lake where you spent the summer days. Have a nice evening my friend.
Cozart Avatar
September 18, 2018 at 6:18 PM
Thanks for reading, Darlene.
Inman Avatar
September 18, 2018 at 4:58 PM
Absolute beauty in your writing Dale.
Cozart Avatar
September 18, 2018 at 6:18 PM
Thanks so much, James.
Gauthier Avatar
September 8, 2018 at 4:55 PM
Lovely imagery, Dale. Congrats on your well deserved win.
Cozart Avatar
September 8, 2018 at 5:01 PM
Thank you, Line.
Lawless Avatar
September 1, 2018 at 2:40 PM
...and the memories grow hotter and larger and deeper as we leave another summer behind. Thanks for participating in the contest Dale
Rodrigues Avatar
September 1, 2018 at 11:41 AM
Very descriptive! Love the end! Makes a splash ;) Hugs...Kim
Cozart Avatar
September 1, 2018 at 11:49 AM
Thanks, Kim!
Dietrich Avatar
August 31, 2018 at 3:27 PM
Brilliant writing. And I see you have many trophy wins here on this page. You are a creative genius, Dale! (love the sentimentality of the poem mixed with the imagery)
Cozart Avatar
August 31, 2018 at 4:14 PM
Thanks so much, Andrea. Lovely to hear from you.
Daniel Avatar
August 30, 2018 at 2:55 AM
This is beautiful, love the language you used with colourful metaphors:)
Cozart Avatar
August 30, 2018 at 8:04 AM
Thanks very much, Jo.
Krampe Avatar
August 28, 2018 at 11:34 AM
I love the imagery in your evocative poem, Dale. Great descriptions. Fave.
Cozart Avatar
August 28, 2018 at 11:46 AM
Thank you very much, Agnes.
Green Avatar
August 27, 2018 at 3:18 PM
Sounds like the perfect end to an amazing summer vacation. Nicely done Dale
Cozart Avatar
August 27, 2018 at 4:10 PM
Thanks, Chris. Nice to hear from you!
Smith Avatar
August 27, 2018 at 11:47 AM
Wish you would never have to leave. Summers by the lake are irreplaceable
Cozart Avatar
August 27, 2018 at 1:15 PM
Thanks, Tim. Good to hear from you.
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