Pam’s Poem

This morning after clambering up onto the icehouse roof not once but six times in a row — installing Starlink satellite dish, rooftop rack, and four surprisingly heavy ballasts — I headed inside to work on the stairway railing. In the coffee bar I discovered a surprise: Pam’s poem with a bottle of bubbly.

I loved it!

What a delightful way to start the day. I had no idea that Pam writes poems, and she assured me that she doesn’t, not often at least. Although she did concede that she co-wrote a poem for her father some years before, and she promised to show it to me if she could dig it up.

I told her that she, Susan, and I would pop the cork on the icehouse deck and celebrate together soon. I begged her to read the poem in a video for me to share, but she declined. Fair enough. After all, I have the original. And a poignant addition it is to Rosslyn’s poetics of place.

Pam’s Icehouse Poem

Here’s a toast, to your dream come true
An icehouse to many, but an office to you
It's time to enjoy, and do what you do
Write on your blog and Instagram too
Show off the work, done by a misfit crew
It may not be perfect, but look at your view
Now it's time to relax and reflect
Enjoy this Prosecco, on your new icehouse deck

Enjoy it we will, with toasts aplenty to all who contributed to this endeavor, to our patchwork quilt of characters who’ve helped reimagine and transform Rosslyn’s icehouse. What a wild adventure it’s been.

And speaking of reimagination, our friend and property/project manager (a.k.a. “air traffic, controller”) for Rosslyn, ADK Oasis Lakeside, ADK Oasis Highlawn, and the Westport Yacht Club, Pam Murphy, you are now officially recognized as a lady of letters. Thank you for memorializing this chapter in our rehab ad infinitum and for gifting me your creative work. A momentous day to be remembered often.

I know that Pam’s poem will likewise appeal to many of you. Enjoy.