My summer -
The one I knew so well as a child–
Was a universe of green, blue and white
Meant to be explored and explored and explored again–
While the cool breath of angels
kept the sweat from my brow
And worries from my mind.

Languid and sweet
It was my sanctuary, my world.
Time would stretch or contract as I chose.
The silver clear water of my creek or stream
Slipped and slid over my bare feet–
Like kittens or puppies
Carelessly tumbling over each other.
In the distance
Other children laughed and screamed happily together.
Sometimes I would sit back to listen–
Imagining myself as one of them.
.
On the other side of their beautiful cacophony,
nicotine stained walls were waiting
The walls of my mother’s latest apartment;
Where the light was thin
And shadows
Wrapped around quietly anxious secrets -
Then a breeze would touch my cheek -
To remind me where I was and where I was not,
The sky would grow purple and stars
Would begin revealing themselves.
My stars, in my sky, in my summer.