at the risk of sounding cliche
life flowed differently back then…
on hot summer days windows
would be flung open wide
inviting any stray breeze
to blow through rusted screens.
and carried on hot air
the sounds of children
playing outdoors, their screams
of anger or delight
mingled with bird calls
and barking dogs
along with the gentle rustle
of green leaves dancing
float in with each gust of wind.
but that was before cable tv
or central ac when rotary
fans wobbled atop tables
rhythmically spraying blasts
of stale air from side to side
into faces eager for any relief
while our dads chain-
smoked and played pinochle
as decks got shuffled
and cards were dealt
with our moms out of earshot,
happily seated in floral living
rooms spinning yarns
about family dramas
while taking their turns
to spill the tea amid bursts
of wild laughter
like so many passes
from that old rotary fan.
