I walked by a lilac bush today
And thought of you just then
I remember
It was a Thursday, 3:00
We walked down the long dirt path
With two others in tow
I was so cautious, so nervous
So….new
And I saw that very spot today
Where the lilacs bloomed
And I had plucked one, with fingers of ever-chipping nail polish
Closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and escaped
I smiled
Looked at you and said “It’s my favorite, don’t forget”
You said you wouldn’t
It was hot, our backpacks felt heavy
We were headed towards ice coffee
The caffeine chill that racked my bones
I guess we were just so young
I was so scared, you wanted more
I did too, but I didn’t know how to ask
How to act
The feeling of freedom in that day,
The essence of that moment,
Spinning around in that parking lot
Nothing to do but tease and laugh
And hear it echo right back
Throwing our cares up to the sky
Awaiting anything that would come
Because then,
With triple-creamed, double-sugared ice coffee
And a lilac blossom tucked behind my ear


I looked into your eyes
And I knew I had the world at my fingertips
Well, they always say
You don’t know what you have until it’s gone
And if you ask me
I can tell you that
They’re finally right