We Were Summer

The wind dancing along the nerves of my fingertips-

that swaying wind, lifted my hair to greet the humid summer moon.

Just teenagers, living our lives to fulfill each moment.

Running feet dashing through the graveyard

where the sleeping dead stretched and yawned in their

earthly mansions.

Our hearts seemed to pound so loudly-

every neighbor would hear us traveling through the rugged street.

The warm breeze, the comforting sound of reassuring laughter

lit our clever eyes and mischievous smiles.

Moonlight caressing our bodies and

thrilling our shadows to prance along the doors and windows of houses.

A nagging voice, too soon spoken, too lightly heard,

how time alone ruled the witching hour of our lives,

how time would hide our shimmering Maui moon again.

Waves broke, shattering the unheard

 whispers of Autumn’s promise to arrive;

joining the crickets in their unusually raucous

nightly orchestra.

Birds perched awake in the stagnant summer heat,

watching us try to fly and take command of the witching hour-

we, as childish witches in our youth,

who ignored Autumn’s calls,

 claimed it as our own.