k island summers

island off sandusky in lake erie

housed our family summers

during the few years that i remember of world war two

uncles on leave visiting in uniform

campfires on the rocky shore - s’mores, singing and stories

invitations to all who wandered by as sparks burst up into the darkness

and stars laughed above us

                               mjNordgren  10/4/2022 

Kelley’s Island bonfire

Kelley’s Island in Lake Erie

primitive cabin with electricity that went off and came on

as it would decades ago

but plenty of driftwood drying on the lawn until ready

visiting extended family built a bonfire on the rocky shore

neighbors and strangers from up and down the coast

came to the leaping orange of the flames and spitting sparks

as we sang The Cannibal King and Swing Low Sweet Chariot

with my sister beside to hold me i let my toddler self be gleefully frightened

of the flitting firelight and shadow playing terrifying angles

on even familiar faces