summer sonnet

golden-tiptoed dip below clouds; a reminder

that this dance, encased in amber-honey, can't last.

our plans, ageless azure, gray ovals, divined Her
in hope; that juvenescent sunset holding fast.

we thought we'd see every one we'd ever love

once more, sunkissed, drunk on seaspray and memory

but polaroid picture frames can't bear these types of

time; divergence's predictable victory

my babied fists swat at the mobile I'd once thought

would keep the twirling sun-stars embraced in my gaze,

fireworked eyes explode like a future stretched too taut,

until Earth is swallowed. We nodded, nothing stays.

and suddenly you're the last one left, lesson learned

clock back in at 10, sip the dregs of summer spurned

Madison Esrey