the long, hot days of play that never ended, my
youth spent as we
played in the fountains, buying ice cream
at exorbitant prices because
we could, and did

I remember the hum of air conditioners
offices with vent shafts
erupting heat like angry beasts
if approached from the wrong side
sun beating down with
no end in sight

I remember the lazy days, flickering, blurring together
with nothing to separate one week from the last
the quiet, blissful peace where sky meets sea
across an ocean of hope, a green world of sticky air

I remember those days
and even now, I miss them.