A trip I had wanted to make with my father
one last time before he too was gone
but for any number of reasons
lack of energy/money or spare time
I waited too long
at 86, except for local jaunts
the last two years
he became too frail for travel

But we talked a lot about it
how nice it would be to see it again
that distant magical place
still fresh in our minds
my earliest childhood memories
were made there
of trains to and from Ottawa
and planes of all kinds
kids I played with
the families we knew there
never to be seen again

Everyone fit together back then
out of upbringing/religion/necessity
in keeping the RCAF flying
Air Transport Command
home of the four engine heavies
when not flying all over the world

I know it’s changed
and will never be as I recall
but something still calls me back
the strong urge to migrate
the opposite way
if only for a couple of days
the main drag Dundas Street
see the homes where I lived
Spring Street
McGill Avenue
the playground and
Breadner public school

My son Jason and I leave tomorrow
by rented car
an easy flight as navigation goes
417 to 416 to 401
and though I don’t like driving
the 401 - too fast
at least it’ll be straight through
to Trenton in a couple of hours





© August 2014

Top photo: 13 McGill Avenue, our home on the base in Trenton. © June 1966 Vincent A. Sorrenti
Bottom photo: 13 McGill Avenue. © August 2014 Chris Sorrenti (Ottawa, Canada)


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10/16/2019

Posted on 10/16/2019
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti