It was the scent of memories:
bike rides around the block,
sidewalk chalk games,
and swing-set obstacle courses.
Of pink and green,
and all of those wonderful colors
that were still cheery, even after
the ice-cream truck had left
and dusk was creeping in.
Of catching fireflies
from grass-stained knees
and forgetting about our shoes
in a neighbor’s yard.
Of late easy nights
sinked with pale stars
admired from lazy breezes
against bare ankles.
Of memories long ago,
from a time long abandoned
and knowing that they would be lost
as quickly as they were remembered.