Mid-Summer Moonrises
by Layla A. Williams
We spend our days chasing sunsets
Catching hearts like minnows in old fishnets
Footprints of earlier days fade under lilac skies
Until crashing waves swallow them at moonrise
When the sky’s luminous freckles begin to shine
Their dazzling, pupils open wide—and so do mine
It’s then the Atlantic beckons a soft, salty breeze
We bike towards it ‘til it aches our scabbed knees
Ray-ban sunglasses rest on constellated faces
Sand finds its way between untangled laces
Converses pedal down the seaside streets
Undulating waves wait for us to meet
Clammy palms grip rusted bicycle handles
The air smells of Fresh Breeze Yankee candles
But our summer days are now wearing thin
Sun rays no longer bronze our young skin
Clear days of Oreo shakes and cream sodas
Unfortunately nearing their codas
Still we ride down to the boat docks
Hearts without any keys or locks
Stretched arms spinning
Sparkly lips grinning
Not thinking
Just living
For we are now
And now is here
At moonrise
back to University & College Poetry Prizes