I remember the sight
of my family and friends,
laughing around a campfire
late at night,
The sight of fireflies
lighting up the dark.

I remember the sound
of the crackle of the fire,
The sound of Frank and Jay,
Tripp and Connor,
playing kickball in the driveway.
“You’re out!”
“No I’m not!”

I remember the taste
of burnt marshmallows
and s’mores,
The taste of hot dogs
and doughboys,
the sweet, sticky cinnamon.

I remember the feel
of Lucy’s soft fur
lying beside my chair,
The feel of the fire
warming my skin
in the summer air.

I remember the smell
of the flowers in the garden:
red, yellow, purple, pink.
The smell of smoke,
the wood burning
in the fire pit.

I remember how
that was then
and this is now.

How it’s not summer anymore.
It’s time for school.
I remember August 2009.
My 13th birthday.
My friends and me.
Jacks and Lucy moved away,
taking the campfires with them.