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The summer I was ten, Dad installed an attic fan.
It churned hot air endlessly, no hope to outwit
humidity that drenched the sheets and tossed our sleep.
At night, I'd lie in bed and fist the pillows tight
against my ears. I couldn't stop the racket of the fan.
Fearing the brute might suck me in, then upchuck
my fingers one by one, maybe an ear or slice of skin,
I never went into the attic, unlike my brother,
who picked off street lamps with Dad's shotgun
and nailed limp squirrels to the woodshed's eaves.
Rickey climbed up the wobbly steps, then raced down,
sheet-white, and refused to tell me what he'd seen.
We begged Dad to buy an air conditioner, but he stood
firm. After he left for work, we tossed the monster
dust rags, wood scraps, a headless doll, plastic dishes.
It scarfed them up and carried on.
Years later, when Dad sold the house, he bragged,
That old fan works like a charm.
From Midwestern Memories (Aldrich Press, 2013).
Used here with permission.
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Nancy Scott was an author and artist in New Jersey. Managing editor of U.S. 1 Worksheets for more than a decade, she was the author of five full-length books and four chapbooks. Nancy began writing poetry in the mid-‘90s as a way to share experiences and insights from her earlier career as a social worker. Nancy's latest poetry collection, A Little Excitement, was named "first choice for summer 2021 reading" by North of Oxford. Her art was frequently hung in juried shows and, sometimes, her poetry and art were featured together.
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Lori Levy:
Scary fan, but great poem!
Posted 08/10/2023 08:23 PM
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Sharon Waller Knutson:
I was pleased to wake up to a Nancy Scott poem. I have missed her wit and wisdom. My favorite line was the punchline: Years later, when Dad sold the house, he bragged,
That old fan works like a charm.
Posted 08/10/2023 10:06 AM
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Wilda Morris:
Fun poem. I shared a bedroom in a hot attic as a child, so I can identify with much of this.
Posted 08/10/2023 10:05 AM
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David:
Very different and very good.
Posted 08/10/2023 09:35 AM
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Jancan:
Nostalgia at its vividly descriptive best!
We didn't have an attic, but I remember window fans.
Posted 08/10/2023 09:18 AM
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