Florida Trip

Ah, this old photo. I wore my brand new

Grey ‘Cocoa Beach Travel’ tank top,

(now it’s older, just another shirt)

My lacy black bralette,

With white Apple earbuds

(now I have Airpods, no cords)

Slung around my shoulders, and my

Hair is in a windswept ponytail.

(how it’s grown! even in a few short months)

The ocean is visible behind me, it’s flat, and

Nearly the same

Green-grey color as the sky.

(what a depressing night, news of Aunt Shirley’s death)

Only my skin is vibrant, glowing in the soft

(fading, bleak, faint, weak)

Evening sun. My smile,

Though genuine and sweet,

Took a few times to practice because we were all

(siblings by blood, friends by choice)

So upset from being yelled at by

(an overly-tired, surly, consistently grumpy)

Dad. I took the photo for David.

(the love of my life, my secret admirer)

I wanted him to see me happy and

Not worry

(oh, how he does anyway).