No Longer Hides
Springs
June 29, 2021
Dear David,
Last year, June 19 was my first Juneteenth celebration. In our towns of Sag Harbor, East Hampton, and Southampton, the local African-American community showed that love must accept all equally and never supports individual confrontation.
I first wrote this acrostic poem in June 2020. It uses the first letter and word that spell Juneteenth in its 10 lines. A few poetry changes were included this week.
Juneteenth makes hearts want
Missing Something
East Hampton
June 7, 2021
Dear David,
Herd Immunity
Amagansett
May 7, 2021
Dear David,
It is increasingly likely that herd immunity in this country against Covid-19 will not be achieved. This is distressing for a number of reasons but especially so for those for whom the vaccines are unlikely to be effective. Individuals with various forms of blood cancers (lymphomas, etc.) in many cases receive infusions of medications that destroy B cells. These are exactly what are needed to make the vaccines effective.
UnHampton?
Mastic Beach
April 15, 2021
Dear David,
Remember when Sag Harbor — quite proudly, as I recall — considered itself “the UnHampton?” Sag Harbor was the fun Hampton, even the funky Hampton (and I mean that as a compliment).
True, we won’t be seeing the likes of Ivan’s Shoe Store or the Black Buoy ever again, but, please, enough is enough!
ALICE C. RAGUSA
Spectacular Gateway
East Hampton
April 17, 2021
Dear David,
Give Thanks
Springs
April 5, 2021
To the Editor:
“Ode to Spring,” Horace, “Odes,” Book 4, Number 7:
Diffugere nives, redeunt iam gramina campis
arboribus comae;
mutat terra vices et decrescentia ripas
flumina praetereunt. . . .
A translation for spring 2021:
The melted snows have fled the fields,
New grasses peek out, their strength returning.
The trees regain their leafy shields,
The bubbling streams start churning.
Litter Is Winning
Springs
March 31, 2021
Dear Mr. Rattray,
Our group performs litter cleanup along a portion of Springs-Fireplace Road in the center of the industrial area. This last week, we collected more than double the trash we collected at the same place last year. The great majority of what we pick up is what is thrown out of cars: containers of what people eat, drink, and smoke.