It was to be the 40th summer in our Mattaksett home.

After healing knee replacement for her

The summer season ferry reservation was secured.

— When suddenly —

Urgent lengthy neuro-spinal surgery for him

Scotched all plans.

At a Boston Medical Center

Double foot-long incisions,

Trauma Surgical Intensive Care,

Hospital room recovery,

Add 45 days of rehab/physical therapy

With six daily hour-long antibiotic IVs.

Eventually returning to our off-Island home,

Realizing more healing equilibrium

With gratitude for our miracle

By the medical teams.

Our summer that might have been:

Early sunrises over Katama Bay,

Lengthening days until Summer Solstice,

Fourth of July parade,

Jumping waves at South Beach,

Oom pa-pa at Flying Horses,

Orange cranberry scones from Katama General,

Vineyard fresh-caught sole from Danny’s,

Oysters galore in Lure Dining room,

The reborn Edgartown Books,

Lounging llamas at Boch Farm,

Late sunsets at Menemsha.

Our September that is:

Blue Moon over Katama Bay

Later sunrises,

Warm sun still on the deck with shortening days,

Katama Farm Holsteins lowing across the way,

Time to pack summer things away,

Earlier sunsets.

Duvet on the bed at night,

When April springs next year:

Redwings will trill us away from their Mattakesett marsh nests,

Tiny v-shaped mouths will open atop the osprey pole,

And all shall be well.

— Elizabeth Sue Pew