SUMMER SOLSTICE
James and Oneg's SWEAA Challenge #1
Drove the famous Alaska Highway.
Road twisting and turning, done without a latte.
The route didn't go through Nebraska.
Reached our destination, Alaska.
The Summer of 1976, a new workplace,
arrived at Eielson Air Force Base.
Clocks and watches chimed bedtime,
This was Summer Solstice playtime.
The sun illuminated the baseball field.
Umbrellas opened as a shield.
Eating peanuts and ice cream,
cheered for the local team.
Closest to midnight, everyone stood.
Everything appeared to be good.
People sang the "Alaska Flag Song."
Their voices rousing and strong.
Words unknown moved our lips.
Afterwards, snacked on chips.
Under the Midnight sun,
The Alaska Goldpanners won.
Wide awake, it's after three
Kids dancing around with glee.
Unpacked boxes and made beds.
Wondering out loud, when to buy sleds?
In bed, can't sleep.
Try counting sheep.
It's not black outside.
They cried!
Summer Solstice, the sun never goes down.
There was no need to frown.
After 6 am, pulling down the blackout shades,
sang bedtime songs and accolades.
On the twenty-first of June,
Going to a baseball game was over the moon.
Author's notes: This is my entry to James & Oneg's Challenge.
Challenge #1 for James & Oneg's 2025 Summer Writing Extrav-again-Again-za:
August 4th- All Night Long - This challenge asks you to create a story or poem that spans a whole night. What happens? How do you make it through to dawn? But here’s the twist: you must not use the words “light”, “day”, “night”, or “dark”.
Thank you for tagging me, Tiffany.
Here is Tiffany Gordon's story.
Here is the original announcement for James & Oneg's 2025 Summer Writing Extrav-again-Again-za:
Thank you for the opportunity. Tagging Kelli Sheckler-Amsden!
About the Creator
Babs Iverson
Barbara J Iversen, also known as Babs Iverson, lives in Texas and loves her grandkids to the moon and back. After writing one story, she found that writing has many benefits especially during a pandemic and a Texas-size Arctic Blast.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Keep reading
More stories from Babs Iverson and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (23)
I love how you captured the excitement of the Summer Solstice with such vivid, playful details. It made me feel the anticipation, the snacks, and the glee of everyone around.
Long time no read, Babs! Sorry for that, as I've been away in China where Vocal is blocked. I'm still trying to catch up with everyone! Alaska's rather far north of your native State, but this latest poem invokes all the nostalgia and warmth I love about your work. The "old outfield" does actually strike a chord with we Brits, even if baseball never took off here, due to everything from The Sandlot Kids and Field of Dreams to Charlie Brown and a number of great Simpsons episodes! It's a different world to ours, but you communicate here what it is about baseball that seems to speak to every world culture. Something about summer evenings at the start of the season...it's really lovely, and it's all here. The midnight sun came as a wonderful unexpected twist, but of course that's not just the North Pole! Where I come from, it's often pointed out that in the Highlands of Scotland you're nearer the Arctic Circle than London. Beautiful poem on a bygone time. Hope we'll be seeing some more soon!
🥰😍🤩
Wow! Can't imagine days not turning to night. Sounds like you had fun though. It been a while, blessings to you Babs.
Your vivid depiction of the midnight sun makes the reader feel part of that sleepless joy. The flow between humor and wonder gives this piece such warmth.
Hi Babs, This was fabulous: you are featured in this weeks Dynamic Duo on Vocal Social Society's' FB page!
I’m a little late to the game on this one, Babs. You did a great job as always!!!
Well-wrought, venerable Babsha!
Haha Enjoyable :)
Love this! Sharing it! ⚡💙⚡
That would mess with my head…..daylight all night haha. Great take on the Challenge Babs.
not a summer without ice cream!
Chips, peanuts and ice cream-- Doesn't get any better than that. Loved your poem. Nicely done!!!
Ice cream always makes everything awesome hehehhe. Loved your poem!
Nice!!! You've captured the feeling so well here, Babs! It would be hard for me to get used to the Midnight sun. That's gotta be something else to experience.
This is good, Babs <3 Love the direction you went with this prompt <3 Kelli's been tagged 2x now ROFL
😍❤️🤗great story.
that was a busy night and eventful night for sure. excellent work!!!
Thank you for taking us on this journey, wonderful poem
That is one long day! Quite a challenging prompt too. Well done Babs! Well done you!
Babs, you flame-broiled this prompt! I loved it so much! ☺️🫶🏾🌸 It is so action-packed & fun! Go on wit your bad self! Lol 💪🏾🎉🥳☺️🫶🏾
Feels like I'm there! Love the line about peanuts and ice cream 😁
I love love love this!! I felt like I was there!! You've seen some pretty cool things in your life :)