The last memory of summer is imprinted on my window. As I approach my parked smoldering car, a vision of that most exhilarant night comes swimming back into my soupy thoughts. A beautiful reminder of shinning eyes bright with the radiant joy of youthful exuberance, nothing ever fades so quickly. But as the sun sets upon the heat of August, I almost cry as that lopsided purple smiley face stares back at me, its beamy little chalk eyes pentrating my hardened soul.And as I recall the times of our disolving summer; the nights we spent laughing deep into the night; the concerts and the lake trips and the neverending rummy games- I smile. 3 familiar faces materialize behind my tightly shut eyes, filling the empty spaces hiding between the memories that are already becoming stale from reminiscing much too often. Instantly my heart bleeds at the thought of letting go of our days in the sun. The realization that these beautiful moments will fade into the background of our busy Fall sends instant panic pulsing through my heart. And though for a while my bones will ache with the faint noise of stale laughter falling to the ground amidst the browning leaves, I know that nothing could ever replace these waning moments. As a single tear flits across my eyelashes and rolls fluidly down my flushed cheeks, I once again come face to face with that loaded symbol of my entire summer. The purple smile sits silently upon the tinted glass, glistening in the sun. And though it will fade and rain will come and wash its shining smile away, forever will its meaning be imbeded in my heart.
*Because nothing could ever replace these times-
These times we felt alive.
