From The Cool Room
I catch my breath in the cool room
where the temperature is 79
instead of the 102 outside.
The picture window frames the crowd
of friends and family
seated still in a conversation circle.
My vacated seat silent
as the conversations continue
with no glances to the empty chair.
A moment ago I sat in that seat
uncomfortably hot,
straining to hear
conversations about things unknown to me.
No chance to get a word in
even if I had anything
I could contribute.
If anyone noticed me leave
there was no signal as
at age 83 I have become invisible.
I wondered of that status
as I sat in front of my grill
all day cooking, blocking traffic.
Some walked by wondering about
going in front of me bumping the grill
or behind spilling the beer barrel.
In the cool room, my index of past Fourths,
flashed shots of children, now adults
and older ones carrying added pounds.
So ended my day in the sun,
a trip to the cool room and
the invisible do not have to clean up.
And next year when the clans gather
and raise a glass to the old one
asserting that he is looking down on us,
be sure to check the cool room first.
Doug Minnis
July 10, 2011