maelynslavik

i used to dream

of the day

i started middle school,

thinking the excitement

of getting older

outweighed the pain

of growing up.

my teachers wondered why.

and now that i'm in

The air was thick with heat and sunscreen. Our cleats kicked up dust as we ran onto the field already tired from two earlier games.  Summer felt like nonstop softball tournaments weekend after weekend.

New starust slicks the shingles

On the ancient roof of the shed

Where a couple of souls lie to clean

Their greying teenage bodies.

The streetlight turns off at

Half past ten,