The clear blue waves tumble over
and the icy mist from the ocean sprays in my face
I stare at the changing sky
that fades from black to purple to pink, then orange

The colors run together like a freshly painted watercolor
so easy to get wrapped up and lost in
My mind runs, like the colors
fading in and out of memories

I hear the familiar sound of a tire swing squeak in the distance.
I cross the monkey bars and land hard in the rocks below
My hands smell of rusty metal
Tiny blisters begin to form

My mind jumps five years forward
swimming in health class
the chlorine odors the air
sounds of shouts and laughter echo off of the walls

I'm in my house now, a few years before
it's Christmas time and my mom is baking
a gingerbread scent fills the kitchen
the warmth of the oven radiates throughout the house

Now it's last summer
I lay on the beach and dip my toes in the water
the sun is setting and the sky is painted colors
Each stretch of color a memory that fades out with the day