Grandparents

I can’t eat an apricot without thinking of them

And their house, and the yard and the trees.

My childhood playground.

Climbing trees and picking fruit

Apricots and peaches made into pies

The not-so-secret stash of Doublemint gum

Dancing with the water wiggle, hanging on the clothesline wire

Balloons sent sailing away on the swamp cooler’s breeze

Sock skating down the glossy hall floor

Exploring the depths of the basement below

Waiting for the noon whistle to blow

Root beer floats and the Lawrence Welk show

And just being with them.

How I miss them.

How I long to see them again.