we camped out in a friend’s backyard
surrounded by nothing but cornfields
and neighboring yards that stretched for miles
a bonfire lit the pitch-black sky the night before
it was a late August morning
just before school was back in full swing
my clothes were drenched
in the smell of the still burning wood embers
there was a light fog and I could see my breath in the cool air
I was awake and alive
with a messy head of hair
ready for life
even if I knew not what was coming
wearing nothing more than a thin hoodie
yet unflinched by the chill in the air
I pulled the hood over my messy hair
and put my hands in my pockets
we said our friendly goodbyes
knowing we would see each other again tomorrow
or the next day
or when school started back up soon
these are the memories you can’t recreate,
no matter how hard you try
the air is cool now too
and I am drowsy
wanting nothing more than a long sleep
the same sleep the flowers and trees fall in to
as they bring the earthly blanket tightly to their chin
before closing their eyes for winter
and now I say my goodbyes
to the flowers and trees
knowing it may be some time
before I see them again
