At five years old, my best friend and I ran around in the sun
Spilling half melted popsicles all over ourselves
Attempting to sing the lyrics to Fly Like An Eagle
Acting like birds soaring through the sky

At nine, I swam in my grandpa’s pool until the sun went down
Pretending to be mermaids
Until my toes looked like prunes
And my muscles were so sore I couldn’t keep myself afloat any longer

At eleven, my dad drove me to Wendy’s and I bought seven chocolate frosties
One for Chloe, Lil E, Linds, JT, Rosalie, Maggie, and one for me
My feet burned on the hot concrete radiating the sun’s heat
But it was worth it for my best friends

At fourteen, I basked in the sun at camp and sweated until it looked my crazy creek was filled with water
My friends and I stuffed our mouths with contraband gummy worms
We took turns fanning each other
And sat in the breeze from the Neuse

I want to be like the sun!
I want to radiate warmth
I want to be bright and I want to be needed
I want to glow
I want to be like the sun!