Learning he was gone and would never be back

The heat of piss and shame as I realize I am not one of the boys

A deep hole of mud

My first love, a dog

Waiting impatiently for my grandmother’s artichokes to grow

Blood stains on the corner of a stucco wall, four of his fingernails lost in the grass

A kiss from my neighbor and then days later one from his sister as well

Hours and hours and hours of hide and seek

Miniature worlds of moist dirt and the sharp cool green of freshly cut grass

Skinned knees, stubbed toes, bloody lips and black eyes

Holding hands after dark, the whole summer ahead, a promise