1. A hot blush flooding skin

Maybe he finally asked you. Smiled a little, called you beautiful. Scooted closer 

to feel your warmth. You laughed, nervous. Your dad’s right outside. He touches your cheek.

Maybe you messed up. Said something stupid. Your voice cracked awfully– 

puberty hit you hard. You wish to rewind. You can’t. Your eyes are watering.

Maybe you’re running. Chest heaving, sweating, grin stretched over your face. 

You’re cheering your sister on, your best friend. She’s the professional, you’re 

just the cheerleader. She’s almost at the finish line. A part of you wishes you could be her.

      2. A falling leaf at the brink of death, still bright

Maybe the sun shines through it as it falls. You’re walking slowly by the lake. Your 

feet strike the path, crunching others just like this one. A warm coffee is in your 

hand and cool air in your lungs. It’s fall.

Maybe you are playing in your backyard, young and carefree. You don’t have any 

homework this weekend, just endless hours to play. Your dad swept the leaves into 

a pile. You jump.

      3. A sunbeam shining down

Maybe you are near the sea. It’s so hot, and the umbrella only covers half your body. 

The other half burns, but you aren’t ready to go back to swimming. You look at the 

reflections on the water, dazed. You only get this once a year.

Maybe it is hidden away by clouds. The rain falls and you’re tired. You’ve been in the 

car for hours, the droplets so repetitive they sound static. But for a moment, it emerges. 

The sky glows with an arc of light. You are entranced.

      4. A woven sweater of a deep emerald

Maybe it was passed down from sibling to sibling. Oversized and comfy. You always admired it 

on her, stole it once or twice. Eventually it was gifted to you.

Maybe it was brought with me during the move. Boxes packed and room bare– sweater 

folded up. When unfolded in a new city, it will be the first thing worn. A reminder, familiar.

      5. A reflection of water

Maybe it’s the first day of summer. The pool is open, and you are soaking up the sun. 

It’s not your house, but you are welcome anytime. You wish it was your house, it’s much 

bigger. Prettier. In the countryside. You know you are never going to get something like

this, not with your arts degree. You’ll just leech off them.

Maybe you’re sitting on a boat. The motor is new, but the boat is old. Your family is there, 

and you complained, but went anyway. You hate fishing, so you sit. Read a little, look at 

the view. It is calming, even though you were complaining.

Maybe you are washing your hands. Outside the door is loud– sometimes fun, sometimes 

tense. You needed a minute to breathe, look at your phone. You are fine, but your body 

thinks you are in fight or flight. Nothing is wrong, yet everything is shaking.

      6. A wildflower stands tall, alone

Maybe you are wandering the woods. It’s cold, and getting dark, but you aren’t done yet. 

The trees go on forever. You want to walk forever. That’s a lie, you want to go inside 

eventually– you are too much of a homebody.

Maybe you’re sitting on a curb. The flower is more like a weed, and you would pull on it 

if your hands wouldn’t get dirty. So you leave it alone.

Maybe you are the wildflower. Maybe you are made of the colors around you.