things were better when i thought they were worse

summer gave us sweet mercy

before winter stormed us in

pandemic predictions expired

ending in august was now ending in january

luck betrayed us 

hope grew bored

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Summer

road trips with a spoonful of nausea

tickling sunshine that bruises you the next day

an unspoken intermission 

please stay for a while, the children called

she left as quickly as she arrived

scattered sunshine hailing from November skies

summer became brisk walks

deceased picnics

lonely holidays

seasons are deceiving 

dates are arbitrary

holidays are cruel

taunting us with what we cannot have