Longboat Key resident Wendy Leakeas’ family frequently visits her from Longwood. And those visits inspired Leakeas’ 13-year-old nephew, Vincent Cangimilla, to write the following poem entitled “When I Was Young on Longboat Key” for a recent school project.

When I was young on Longboat Key
I was awakened by the buzz of a boat’s motor
And smelled the salty air
Then the mullet jumping
In the narrow canal
When I was young on Longboat Key
The sight of fishermen’s rods bending
Mullet jumping over and over in the distance
Soon the power of the fish pulling at my rod
And the relief of the fish in my cooler
When I was young on Longboat Key
The first sunset I have seen
Along the beach
Here in Longboat Key
When I was young on Longboat Key
The flakey meat of the freshly caught flounders
A hint of salt from the water it has so long lived in
Smells of s’mores
And marshmallows toasting over the burning fire
When I was young on Longboat Key
At night we sit and
Listen to the fish jump and hit
Jump … then hit
The wavy water of
Boats that drive by the canal
When I was young on Longboat Key
My last day there
On the beach with the fish and crabs
Salty water in my mouth
The stench of baitfish left to rot
On my last day here in Longboat Key
When I was young on Longboat Key
The days are over
Vacations gone
All said and done
For the last sight I see this year
Is the sight of sailboats
Sailing free

 

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