The clear sky and sun lights up the turquoise canvas,

sitting on the hard rocks around us and smelling

the feel of Lake Michigan around us and the bright 

acrylic paint, friends all around fighting for space on

the canvas to paint the car which our group is named 

after, the waves crashing and splashing water on our face

and freaking out over whether or not our canvas

was going to wash away, the gray paint of the car

is displayed on our communal rock, we listen to 

the angelic music of Bruno Mars as paint brushes

are moving from side to side, conversations sparking

from side to side, but I sit in silence, knowing

this is our last stroke of summer, our last stroke

of being all together, our last stroke of happiness,

I am thankful for now, for the waves, for the rocks, 

for our creativity, for being together, it all feels so

hopeful for the future, we feel so communal,

my best friends and I and what our rock will 

convey, a true and honest group of friends.