and it was on nights as this

hot but not quite as hot

as it had been

a few brown leaves on the ground

promising those

cool nights

when the windows can open

 

and it was on nights as this

the voices of joe and marty

crackling over the radio

on the floor of the porch

my grandfather stretched out

on the glider

listening

 

and it was on nights as this

that I envied him

though I had no cares

I was just a kid

with my own radio

waiting for johnny or tony

to win the game

 

and it was on nights as this

I would stay up late

alone in my room

with the voices I knew

but would never know

their easy cadence

three up three down

 

and it was on nights as this

I knew my grandfather

would be smiling

content with his family

with his faith

with his gardens

with his life

copyright 2016, joseph e bird