On July 1st

the flag is saluting today’s breeze
as children dance to band shell tunes

a couple joins in from the grassy floor
refreshment stands for a
hungry public, mosquitoes
inviting us to their side of shade
the pools alive with noise
ice cream and painted faces in
Truro, Nova Scotia.

Singers in caps and white beards
short and Scottish
ditties with Newfoundland flavour
and fishermen fables,
boys munching cotton candy

arthritis abounds, gas now settling
in chairs and on blanketed grass
happy times, fries and
bottled water, cars stockpiled nearby
the park afloat with laughter
voices singing, and the crowd
clapping with memories.

© Richard L. Provencher