Closed for the Season

There is so much nostalgia weathered into the boards of this old porch.

Generations of up island travelers have stopped
to set a spell in the heavy green rockers.
Early on a summer morning the smell of roasting coffee
mingles with the fresh ink on the Gazette.

The lazy mornings give way to the serious trekkers
dipping in for their subs and refilling their water bottles.

Afternoons, the kids gather and scatter and gather again
and if rain is in the offing it can be standing room only
until the skies clear and the bikes can roll out again.

And then it’s time for pizza !
With Frank’s home grown veggies the pies are legendary.

Back before they decided
that hydroperoxide and baking soda was the best remedy for skunk attacks
I remember making it just in time
to be the last customer to buy
all the tomato juice cans on the shelf.

Oh, the gratitude,
for the all the pleasures of an up island convenience store
with friendly faces
and wonderful short order cooks
and a welcoming porch…
full of rocking chairs.