Chasing Clouds and Butterflies

Chasing clouds and butterflies Running from our long shadows Great, green grass stains our elbows Grey gravel spurts from our tread Darkened skies we deeply dread Freckles rise to the surface Big blisters peeled with curses Bases made of rocks and leaves T-ball games played in the streets Fireflies trapped in warm palms Embers crack to campfire songs Ocean waves and salty curls Arcade games and tilt-a-whirls Smells of chlorine, sunscreen, grass Great use of library pass Band-aids cover ripped up skin Each smile a toothless grin Juice from watermelon squirts All meals with ice cream desserts Late bed times and sleeping-in Waking to sweet birds singing Losing track of the weekdays Moving in a summer haze Surprising how fast time can fly When chasing clouds and butterflies