10 years old
turning cartwheels on the beach
my pre-adolescent body barely filling out my bikini
and you with your chicken legs and bony chest
We spoke of flying
how we knew we had the magic to do it.

10 years old
hand in hand at the pier
our long runway to bluer skies

On your mark
Get set
Go...

We flew like the wind
bare feet slapping against the slippery wood
Past fishermen and families
to leap off of the edge

You, being a boy, jumped higher than I
And I watched in amazement
as you grasped the sun with both hands

And I watched you disintegrate before my eyes
And I lost the magic
plummeting down to water below.

And as I fell I caught a glimpse
of your soul dancing in the flames

Now I find myself staring
directly into the sun
watching you dance
until I can no longer stand the burning of my cornea

And I am blind for a week
and so I sleep
the sand and salt water mixing in my eyes
And we are 10 years old again
turning cartwheels
and speaking of flying
to bluer skies...

05/29/2002

Posted on 05/29/2002
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