The Beach Club

 


My family moved to Cleveland Place in ‘69... 

And we quickly join the neighborhood club...

It was there I would make some lifelong friends...

While stealing beer from the snack bar pub...


It was called the infamous Beach Club...

And while it lacked a sandy white beach...

It offered tennis, horses and three swimming pools... 

Endless fun all within our teenage reach...


It’s where I first learned to ride horses... 

Once or twice getting kissed in the hay...

It’s where all the cool parents played tennis...

Enjoying a cocktail or two after a long day...


It’s where I first joined the swim team... 

Just to meet girls in my preteen pursuits... 

It’s where I gazed at the Pianka sisters... 

Wearing their red lifeguard bathing suits...


I conspired to almost drowning daily...

So a Pianka sister might give me mouth to mouth... 

But, alas, I could never hold my breath long enough... 

In the middle of the hot summer’s drouth...


Some of us sat on the benches until closing... 

Or later if we sometimes got locked in... 

Some would sneak up to the levee to kiss... 

And the next night, we might do it again...


We sang “In The Summertime” by Mongo Jerry...

And “If You Wanna Be Happy For the Rest of Your Life”... 

Some us dated on and off for the summer...

While some ended up as husband and wife...


I’ll always remember our Beach Club...

As a special place forever in my heart... 

Even though our Beach Club is no longer... 

Those old friendships are never far apart...


© 2022 Jeffrey Pipes Guice

My Wonder Years: A Book

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