I took a walk the other morning. It was early, just a hint of rose to the east. It was hot, of course, it is always hot in August.

The sun rose as I walked, and I tried to ignore its warmth. Circling the High School, I was glad for the shadow cast by its hulk. At the end of the block I stepped again into the bright morning light, and there it was. It beckoned, this oasis.

Brightly colored fabric urged me on. Transfixed by its crystal-clear water. I paused, face pressed against the chain link fence. A light summer breeze, no more than a whisper, lightly rippling the mirror-like surface. The City Pool, indeed an oasis of cool in the summer heat.

I was flooded with memories of summers long gone. Endless hours of fun and frolic. Oh, how I loved the pool. I longed for a morning swim. To once again dip my toe, splash my sisters, and dunk my friends. Then I remembered and trudged sadly on my way.

What did I remember? What evil caused me to turn away?

Sadly the pool ‘tis shuttered, its lifeguards drawn back to school. No lifeguards, no pool – yet it is but the first week of August, the dog days of summer.

August, the last carefree days of summer vacation. A time for family trips, camping, swimming, and games. June and July always sped by, filled with 4-H projects, gardening, and such. But August – well, in August, as time raced inexorably toward Labor Day, we frantically chased those last glorious moments. Creeping ever nearer came Labor Day  – that gatekeeper heralding the end of summer and the start of school.

Alas, poor Summer Vacation!

I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.

He hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is!

My eyes tear at it. Here hung those games I have played I know not how oft.

Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? Your songs?

Your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on a roar?”

(My apologies to the bard)

Yes poor Summer vacation; pruned, trimmed, snipped, and clipped into a frail shadow of its former self.

And for what? To improve student learning? To accommodate standardized testing? Was it worth it?

I’ll let you be the judge of that. For now, let’s have a moment of silence on the passing of an old friend.

David Dahl.

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