All Stars

Just dust off the muddied converse

Sitting in the back of the closet

Maroon and tawny white

The tongue flops over from wear

It was a happier time

At least you think

Full of grass stains and scraped knees

Bandaged with a baby blue mickey mouse band-aid

The pounding of carelessly placed feet on asphalt

Laughter carried on the light breeze of a summer’s afternoon

June burned bright

Like an opulent ruby beetle

And everything was wonderful

You could count on your fingers

The days until school was let out

Trading book bags for beach towels 

And pencils for chalk

Long summer nights

Jars full of dancing lightening bugs

Knots braided into your hair by chlorine and Marco polo

Fingers glued together oozing marshmallows and chocolate squares

Your heart was full 

And so was your stomach

Embroidery string bright and woven into bracelets

Shared amongst your closest friends

Brushing on your ankle, against muddied maroon converse