“Long Years apart – can make no
Breach a second cannot fill –
The absence of the Witch does not
Invalidate the spell –

The embers of a Thousand Years
Uncovered by the Hand
That fondled them when they were Fire
Will stir and understand –“

~ Emily Dickinson

In the late afternoon, just before dinner, I went into the garden and plucked the eggplant from its stem, held it in my hand as I cross the yard. It was still quite warm from the day’s sun. Two monarchs chased each other around the garden and the yard. I washed and sliced the scarless purple fruit. Dipped it in flour and egg and bread crumbs, sauteed it in olive oil. Chopped the fresh basil, three varieties, I picked. Heated last night’s roasted cherry tomatoes. Because there are two in this household with a dairy allergy, I did not add parmesan cheese, but covered the crisp eggplant rounds in tomatoes and the chopped basil. The eggplant, so warm with the afternoon sun. And, I swam. Biked to my friend’s dock. Clouds over the afternoon, I was under them, and it was still very warm, and the water was warm, but my friend is leaving soon, and I swam in the melancholy of this change, August moving toward its end. How grateful, I feel, for the time on this land, in this water, in this friendship. And, I had a Zoom with a dear friend from year’s past who now lives in California, the past eight years, but I teared up when I saw her face, heard her voice, because I have not connected with her in so long, and yet we were so deeply connected when she lived here, and she was a wonderful part of my playwriting years, acting in so many of my plays––what fun we had. Raising our kids and making theatre. I asked if she wants to be a guest actor for my upcoming monologue class; thrilled that she sounded happy to do it, and said yes. And, how is it that we are both grandmothers now?!