I long for the sound 
of an old
wooden screen door
slamming 
oak frame, wire mesh
heavy, with a new
spring 
so the initial slam 
triggers recoil – 
residual wood WHAP!
Thump! 
clunk.

Nothing to stop an 
old wooden screen door
save gravity
those doors
were rapt percussion
a backbeat to youthful 
adventure

The one at grandma and 
grandpa’s cabin 
portal to the
lakeshore 
down the hill
or the heavier-framed 
version
with Coke-sign bumper
jingling bell – the 
front door of 
Larson’s corner store 
where you always got a 
double-dip 
slam when arriving to 
return 
an empty for deposit
again upon 
leaving 
with excitement and 
cold, full bottle of 
Nesbitt’s Strawberry 

I long for the sound 
of an old 
wooden screen door
slamming 
oak frame, wire mesh
heavy, with a new
spring 

like the ones I was told
as a kid 
to never slam but 
that could 
never contain me
then 
or my fond recollection
now

I’ll forever let that
door slam but
I’ll never let it 
close

– Mark L. Lucker

© 2021

http://lrd.to/sxh9jntSbd