Summer Stand

I place the table near the street,

and cover it up with clean white sheets.

Then we both sit and ponder at who we’ll meet.

It’s hard to think of simpler times.

I count the cars as they drive by.

And to myself I wonder, did they see the signs?

My sis and I play a game to pass the time,

We count the colors of cars as they pass by,

"That’s 3 cars green, 2 cars red, and 4 cars white!"

Some cars are big. Some cars are small.

Some cars slow down to see our stall,

some cars, I suppose, aren’t really cars at all.

Some cars are trucks, some are bikes.

They all continue to pass, and we wait to strike.

And as the daylight fades, I hear her sigh.

“Don’t worry little sis, it be alright.”

It won’t be long before brake lights.

Plus, the day is good, and the sun is bright.

A big brother knows how to make his little sister stay.

He reminds her if she leaves, she won’t get paid.

I tell her now is the time to yell, you know what to say.

“LEMONADE! COME GET YOUR LEMONADE! 75 CENTS A GLASS!! GET IT WHILE IT’S COLD!, THIS OPPORTUNITY WON’T LAST!"

And just when my sis looks ready to leave

a car pulls over suddenly.

"Hi sir, what will it be?"

“Oh Lemonade! I’ll take three!”

My sister excited, stands upright.

"Would you like those with some ice?"

The man nods and says, "I think that’d be nice."

So, I grab the cups and pour precise.

He grabs his wallet and asks the price.

Hands me money, and I count it twice.

Each of us smiled at this exchange.

But before he turns, I'm sure to say

"Thank you, sir. Have a great day!"

He gets into his car, and he is on his way.

Leaving the heat behind that’s here to stay.

And my sister and I continue to play.

It really was simple times.

Not having to work the 8 to 5.

To be kid, that was the life.

It never mattered, to get paid.

We just loved the game, of lemonade.

And we made memories that never fade.

100% revenue, hard to believe.

Looking back, our supplies were free.

It was nice of mom, to not charge a fee.

As time pressed on, it got hotter.

And our mom checks on son and daughter.

Standing next to her supply of lemons, sugar, and water.

She then places down some cookies and treats.

Then she says, “I brought these for you to eat.”

And for once, as siblings we shared, I guess you can blame the heat.

Then we washed it down with our lemonade, so sweet.

And ran around the yard in our bare feet.

But stayed close to home and avoided the street.

Then we sat down to work second shift.

Sprinkler on full blast, you could feel the mist.

I grabbed some lemons and gave them a twist.

Then comes dad, after mowing the grass.

Stops by the table and grabs a glass.

And hears me shout, “Hey, you need to pay for that!”

But of course, he offers nothing, not even a trade.

Pays no mind and sits in the shade.

Tips the cup back and drinks lemonade.

And says the words of a typical dad. “Ahh, that’s not too bad.”

Like I said, it was never about making cash.

We just played a game of lemonade to make it last.

Because before you know it, you grow up so fast.

Now here I am, 25 years later.

I put up my mower, that’s as green as a gator.

I stroll confidently right up to the table.

“How much for one cup?”

To which my kids say, “Cashapp only, and that will be five bucks.”

And my response on my own lawn.

“My goodness, inflation has no bounds.”