A Crash of Memories on the Sighting of the First Lightning Bug of Summer

On Sunday evening, as the sun had just receded and I returned home, I found myself in my backyard. There, I witnessed the flicker of light from the tail of a lightning bug, the first I had seen this summer. In that instant, a crash of childhood memories, from so many decades ago, flooded my mind. It is remarkable how a single sight, much like a familiar smell, can trigger memories from so long ago.

The next morning, still smiling from the memories elicited by that twinkle in the night, I quickly sketched out the recollections that had cascaded through my mind in that luminous instant. I then spent a little time shaping them into form. For better or for worse, here is the result. I imagine only my siblings can fully appreciate these memories, as they are so deeply family-centric.

Memory Fragments of a Mahoning Valley Childhood

In the heart of summer, lightning bugs glowed bright,
Church festivals thrived, Saint Luke’s, Saint Pat’s in the night.
The Canfield Fair’s grand end of summer delight,
A crush of people, crash-up derby, under starry twilight.

Handel’s Ice Cream, a seasonal treasure so sweet,
A&W root beer floats, a frothy, chilled treat.
Sunday drives through Mill Creek Park’s serene retreat,
Fresh bread’s aroma from Schwebel’s bakery street.

Poulakos donuts after Sunday mass, divine,
Pierogies with butter and onions, St. Stan’s line.
Idora Park’s Wild Cat, Jack Rabbit in summertime,
Learning to swim at the downtown Y, feeling fine.*

Downtown shopping at Woolworth and Strouss, a spree,
Barney Bean, Gilligan’s Island, and more on TV.
Isaly’s chip chop ham sandwiches, more than we’d plea,
Dad’s Friday night football games on AM frequency.

Bowling leagues, Dusi Music, Conti Dance’s beat,
Mom at ceramics studio, weekly meet.
Family dinners nightly when Dad came home to eat,
Vegetable garden’s bounty, homegrown treats so neat.

Bicycles, unicycles, basketballs in the drive,
Chalk drawings, sandboxes, tree forts where dreams thrive.
Imagination abundant, throughout the neighborhood we’d roam,
Mahoning Valley memories, forever our home.

*In truth, I disliked the swimming lessons at the Y, the water was so cold that I shivered incessantly, teeth chattering and lips turning blue, every lesson — oh, and let me tell you that the smell of chlorine was overwhelming!