Thank God for July - Lynniya Charleus

Let’s hold the sticks

until the light reaches our fingertips

so that after the 4th 

when the flame has been put out 

and the ash is in the trees, 

we’ll have identical scars .

When our hands meet again, 

they’ll tell the same fairytale, 

and we’ll have proof that the night was real. 

For now, I’ll hover over your shoulder 

wait for you to write my name

with the chalk we bought to chew on 

that’s crumbling under summer’s heated gaze

For now, I’ll look for the assent in your eyes 

that says yes, next time, 

we won’t drop them early. 

Let’s watch the sparks die 

in brown pools of sorrel,

count the flickers that jump out of place 

and how many colors the smoke creates. 

If you decide to drop yours too soon, 

I’ll let my hands cool under the steady stream of my tears

and try again next year. 

On the one day I’ll get to see you again. 

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