Swirls

The drip of ice cream down my arm,

the tastes of chocolate and vanilla,

the stickiness of sun meeting skin—

I remember these things vividly,

the pieces of summer that never fled.

*

The crackle of leaves beginning to fall,

the tang of pumpkin spice on my lips,

the cool breeze signaling a change—

I loved the soft promise of it all,

the moods of autumn matching mine.

*

The whisper of the first snowfall,

the flurries catching on my tongue,

the layers bundled around my body—

I found it to be the loneliest time,

the brushes of winter painting me blank.

*

The first scent of rain touching greenery,

the bright lemonade tingling my mouth,

the sudden change from shoes to sandals—

I welcomed the turnaround with open arms,

the crispness of spring letting me sprout anew.