The following poem was read at town meeting by Steve Ewing, poet laureate of Edgartown.

I’ve tried to march in step
since ’95 I’ve
hauled the bright
red and rampant
Scottish Lion
fierce fangs and claws all
snarling from his flapping
yellow stage
I’ve heard the brave heart
cheers of pride
swelling in the
snappy harbor breeze
as we pass
Followed by the
pounding drums and squealing bags
curling round these
summer streets
crammed
with raucous crowds

The steps I follow
are my dad’s
Since he died
I took up his kilted call
and staff in hand
we lead the band
beating close behind
Kids and candy
line the
festive screaming route
The same parade
I saluted as a boy
small flag in hand
from our old time
Main Street yard
Then on my rough
but festooned bike
baseball cards pinned
and ticking
on the spokes
Later with a rifle and
the Boys’ Club
Drum and Bugle Corps
all geared up
helmet and white bucks
Steely eyed so
young and proud

Small town boy and
small town man
have meshed
to march
in independent step
somehow
Now I’m grown
just past my prime
I see more clearly
broad faces
in the looming
waving crowd
Familiar quiet smiles
snag me
from chosen spots
As we pass each year
I come to search
them out
and as we lock
our eyes
in knowing moments
time stalls and stops
It’s clear they see
my dad in me
and I wave back
unabashed
soaking up this
special scene
Year to year we share
these silent stares
amidst the cheers
of happy tourists
jostling kids
the pipe band pounding
in our ears

Until the day
an empty chair appears
and frames
that somber space
where Bob or Dick
had been
Where Rosalie
once stood
or sat and Walter
Herb or Bailey
Nelson, Anne and
all the rest
should wave back
In the summer breeze
I hesitate and almost sense their breath
on my neck

While close friends and family stand there still
guarding in respect
the loss the space declares
Our smiles hide
the tears
the knowing and
the love
the shared communal grief
and as we pass
and wave
goodbye
my sight drifts forward
slowly towards
a stroller
The small baby
tentative and curious
at her very first parade
   stares bright eyed and
oh so
very much alive