Memories that are etched in my mind.

Deep abiding childhood memories.

Of Sunday drives on 81 north, past Binghamton.

Onto the exit of Marathon New York.

Dad’s maroon Ford station wagon filled with excited children.

Patiently waiting for warm fresh milk from cows’ udders.

And chasing white wooly lambs.

Surrounded in September’s warm sun,

dipping our toes in chilly pond water.

Watching small Sunny fish make bubbled ripples,

much to our amusement.

Listening to the chorus of farm animals and frogs,

perform their symphony.

Exceptional pieces of music that reverberated,

as the afternoon sky turned a scarlet glow.

Cousin Stephen calling us for our famous picnic supper.

One family giving thanks—

With grandpa seated in his favorite wooden-cane chair.

Our beloved storyteller spinning tales of three am wake up calls.

And walking to our family’s one-room schoolhouse,

near the gravel road bend.

Leaving as the first hint of Aquarius and Pisces appearance,

at evening tide.

Back down that twisting dirt road,

hearing last calls of safe travels and a last goodnight.

 Mary Anne Abdo

In memory of my grandfather and my dad, they loved our family’s farm. My siblings and my cousins had so many good times there in Marathon New York. Happy Birthday dad and grandpa in heaven.https://weeklyprompts.com/2023/10/07/weekly-prompts-weekend-challenge-surroundings/