JETTY GEORGE

hooked a bluefish, so did Tommy, his busboy.

Pop and I caught weakfish on the Fishin’ Fool.

Worth missing a day at the beach. I remember

how the Royal Flush party boat blasted by and

put us in a wake, rocked us, made us struggle to

bring in our catch of the day, but we reeled it in.

Two slabs under the broiler with lemon and butter,

and a Kodak moment above my desk for eternity.

WE BOUGHT HOCKEY STICKS IN 1974

at Riley’s Sporting Goods on Laurel Street,

sawed them off if they seemed too long.

South Jersey side streets, makeshift games

whacking a plastic ball at the one boy with

a mask, pads, and goalie stick. He’d block

them all and kids chanted like fans at the

Spectrum- Bernie! Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!

We pretended to be Broad Street Bullies-

Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Dave Schultz.

In school, we drew pictures of them with

clenched fists, black eyes, teeth missing,

orange sweaters with the famous flying P.

Saturday nights we’d put on Channel 29

in the back room, a fire always burned and

Pop smoked El Productos in his easy chair.

Kate Smith’s God Bless America, the voice

of Gene Hart delivered play by play of battles

with Blackhawks, Redwings, and Canadians.

At Christmas, we asked for black and orange

coats, hats, everyone wanted to be a big fan.

Before bed we’d drink milk in glasses with the

unforgettable saying- Lord Stanley Lives in Philly! 

VINTAGE LETTERS

mail was valuable way back then

in the days of grandfather’s youth

letters were the way to send friends

messages, money, and kind words.

his mother wrote him at college,

mail was valuable way back then.

words of encouragement arrived,

fine crafted letters full of love

weather updates, daily routines

anecdotes from a place called home.

mail was valuable way back then,

she assured him Father was proud.

in the basement, letters kept for

a lifetime, unshared memories.

I read them now, decades later-

mail was valuable way back then.