I believe in peach sunsets. I believe in the July air right after 6 pm with friendship, freedom, and frivolous time wasting. The haze in the air at dawn and the lazy late afternoons and nights. The golden rays of the sunset against blades of grass. I believe in the reflection of amber against the morning dew. The crisp, heat of the 4th of July and hopeful sun down. I believe in innocence.  
I believe the secrets told and the fights had and the promise of always and forever. In melon sorbet ice cream and chasing jackrabbits through planes of sun. In afternoons in the park, and neighborhood kids on their bikes trying to make it home before dinner. In capturing the painted skies on my nails and getting them ruined in chlorine pools. In learning to drive and the screaming heat on the dashboard. I believe in friends singing the tone-deaf covers of Kesha and rap battles that rival the likes Tupac and Biggie. I believe in companionship.
I believe in getting bullied by my brother and my mom forcing him to give my rides. My sisters fighting over toys and the next hour holding hands. In falling into the warmth of my mother’s arms, engulfing me. Hopping into yellow creeks and getting scarlet bloody knees. In camp songs and the embers of fire glowing through the night. In jungle gyms and beading sweat from thick beams of amber light. I believe in childhood.
I believe in golden days fading to crimson night. That always and forever can turn into always and never. I believe in bright light and pale sunsets becoming brisk air and crisp leaves. In falling down in the ground’s litter and your mother telling you, “you’re old enough to clean yourself off.” In an endless flame becoming dying sunlight. In missed texts and the last days of summer air. Onward to auburn shine, away from the copper light. And as the earth wilts, trees become russet fireworks just for our display. I believe in change.
I believe in packing bags and receiving college acceptance letters. In saying my goodbyes and moving on from Austin, Brooklyn, and all the places I have left behind. In open roads and carpool karaoke in the fading sun against copper rays. In memories of yellow children and rose painted forests. Goodbye to golden days of fun and goodbye to the darkness that followed. Goodbye to naive summers, to promises and idle afternoons. Hello, acceptance. To driving into gilded sunsets paved by the future. I believe in me.