On July 1st

I watched our flag saluting an afternoon breeze
children dancing to band shell tunes
a couple joining in on the grassy floor
refreshment stands for a
hungry public, some on blankets
mosquitoes inviting them to their side of shade
the community pool alive with noise
ice cream and painted faces,
on one fine day in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Singer in a cap and white beard
short and Scottish
ditties flavoured with Newfoundland tales
and Nova Scotia fables,
boy munching on cotton candy mist

arthritis and gas settling in
chairs and on blanketed grass, hiding noisy burps—
these family times, fries and
bottled water, cars stockpiled on nearby lot
the park afloat with laughter
voices singing, and the crowd
clapping with memories.

(c) Richard L. Provencher