This Boomer's Summer Rap

It is Memorial Day 2020. Due to lay-offs and job losses in these pandemic times, more of us might be experiencing the great outdoors on this much-appreciated warm sunny day. The holiday is depicted as the start of the summer sseason though the summer solstice is some days away. Whatever your circumstances and attitude toward the establishment these days, I hope you don't take for granted our rights and privileges that members of our armed forces died to protect. Ripley Countians have been among them.

Denim derrieres and tie-dyed tees

Remind me of summers of the younger me,

When all was fun, no worries or fears

To cloud the summers of my early years.

Shorts were cutoffs made at home;

Halters and tank tops screamed Coppertone,

Sandals on my feet and radio in hand,

I walked the streets in a different land.

Bikes and skates and kick the can

Kept me on the move and somewhat tan.

Sidewalk gangs played out till dark,

Home wasn’t far from the neighborhood park.

As a boomer I work to stay active now,

And avoid the sun no matter how

White I am at the end of the day,

Sometimes before dark, surprising to say.

Life is good with friends about;

I might move slower and have to shout

So some can hear the fun that’s near.

Grateful for the summer of another year.