solar and sweet,
our first summer tastes
of watermelon and simplicity
soft bellies sprawled on the grass
our fingers juice-sticky
let me linger, relish in the sun forever
but the leaves turn brown
quick as nightfall.
the chill in the air
scares me but not as much as
when the clock turns midnight;
you and i throw confetti
and bask in the newfound
freedom of eighth grade
and you like me,
because there is no threat
in my eyes, stardust daggers
but the morning star
would always bear lucifer
as it fell.
oh, sweet child of august figs
when was our collision—our death
when did i shine too brightly
and when did you start caring
about else than the sun?
*to the stars through hardships
Gemma Hayes loves all genres of writing and loves to read nonfiction novels. She is a teenager based in Manhattan, New York, inspired by her experience of relationships, growing up, and womanhood. She manages the literary journal at her school and wishes to move and connect people through her writing.