only sometimes, always ever

we were children who

kissed

with orange tartness;

summer stars

called us home—

I miss you when the heat presses out.

we were dreamers who

dipped ladles of yesterday

into silver puddles 

of tomorrow,

glistening

of expectation and need--

I miss you when the night cuts too sharp.

we were cynics who

laughed

in the face of all that

we feared;

together it seemed

softly smaller—

I miss you when silence sours.

we were scholars who

talked deepness,

rushings of humanity

edged over by

steel practical will,

I miss you when words twist inwards.

we were individuals

but only together;

please forgive me

these

sweet sentimentalities

of those I left

behind--

flicker faintly in the horizon;

cannot ever blow back in,

yet scorch marks

on my feet tell me

where I once was—

I miss it only sometimes.