"Time of Wonder" by Robert McClosky details his memories of a Maine island summer. My favorite times of wonder are spent in the dunes of the Big Lake in Michigan. Here's another Omi Ode to winter wander wonders by the lake. It's written from my 7-year-old self. At 60, all I can think of is to stay warm in glacial cold winters. Back then, I'd have built a fort and lived outside, winter, spring, summer or fall. Picture is now.
summer wonder walks with grampa
were warm and lake water wet
we walked through the dune woods
and swam in the waves of the big lake
fall was for chilly forest tromps
collecting acorns, moss and leaves
smelling someone's campfire perfume
and watching animals ready for winter
winter was snowy white wonder wanders
through the back dune woods
of cold-chapped cheeks
and lent hankies to wipe drippy noses
of grampa's check-red coat
and ear-flap hat and
grama scolding him
to make me wear my scarf
of little kitten me losing mittens
of hating itchy knit hats
to say nothing of long soggy scarves
or sweaty scratchy coats
of plastic bags in boots
to keep feet dry
and peanut butter kisses
to snack on
trudging through wet snow
making the first and only
people footprints that day
on tinsel-bright cake-frosting snow
lugging the old wooden toboggan
with gray mattress ticking seat
and cozy musty smell of attic
when snow was light enough to sled
me wanting a speedy saucer
but grampa said "try it like we did as kids"
on Hollister hill in Grand Rapids
and so we did
sledding till we were starved
and cold and wet and tired
ready for braunschweiger sandwiches
and a fire in the basement
walking back in the footprints
we made on the way there
leaving nothing but those
taking only memories and
some nifty driftwood back home
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