only ever lasts about three days
the spring green hue i long to capture
want to crawl inside the new growth
curl up, stay forever
about three days you remind me
the longest I wait
before imagining a problem or
registering some complaint
once young determined buds
a long weekend and we fell
knew all the answers
far from tailored lawns and traffic circles
freed on the cement leaving town
got chills seated in the sun's full rays
hair flying in dandelion wind
blaring down the pike
called you Rexy, to you I was Lou
past the motorcycle bars playing blues
beer specials so cheap you can't imagine
how they make any money at all
to the dune's edge into jellyfish waves
tawny skin splashing
slicing safely in spaces in between
never getting stung, not once
wide salty rimmed eyes
reckless, undressed, burned red
bright lights, were there sirens?
with a wild howl we lept off that train bridge
up early today listening for birds
to call our names
maybe dig up some worms
take out the boat, go fishing
the dew covered garden glows
effervescent lime shoots reaching
through mud and dreams
seeds of teenage madness sprouting
Mary Pembleton
June 29, 2010
