There was a time
Where summer nights
Brought everyone together
Before you left the house
You grabbed some change
So you could get some snacks
From the candy lady
Down the street
Your brother already left
To go play basketball
And your sister
Was outside double dutching
You on the other hand
Had plans to see her
The one that made
Your young heart skip a beat
But you had to hurry
Two bags a chips
A couple of blow pops
And a Coca Cola
You said to the lady
Through the screen door
Once the transaction was completed
You continued down the road
Because you knew she was waiting
Passing men washing their cars
While girls grouped together
Laughing
Gossiping
Summer time at its best
As you got closer
The butterflies began
Because out the corner of your eye
You saw her
Two ponytails
Yellow dress
Pink jellies
Some days
All of your friends waited
For you to park your bike
So they could roast you
Making kissy faces
Before a game of hide and seek
However
Today everyone
Gave y’all space
You approached her
And soon the smell of cocoa butter
Greeted you
You divided the snacks
Shared a soda
And let the sounds of summer
Play a soundtrack that made
Both of you smile
Fire engines
Ice cream trucks passing by
Basketball dribbles
Stereo blasting music
A perfectly picked playlist
Celebrating young love
Talks of what kind of house
What kind of cars
Wedding dates
What state you were going to live in
And yet
Neither one of you
Have been outside of 121st Street
Holding hands
Playing thumb war
Everything felt so right
Soon
The sun began to set
Sounds of the city became louder
Groups of kids started heading back
For they knew
The street lights would be on
You walk her to her bike
Get one last kiss
And watch as she leaves
You run to your bike
Hop on
Pedaling fast
Counting the seconds
15
14
13
You knew you would never see her again
If you didn’t make it
12
11
10
Just two more blocks away
You past the candy lady
Who is now waving at you
As she sits on the porch
Grills smoking
Sends signals to others
Dinner will be ready soon
9
8
7
Your sister is no longer
Jumping rope
But your brother is now racing with you
Seeing who can beat the street lights first
6
5
4
So close
3
2
1
The lights trickle down the block
Like dominoes being knocked down
You and your brother park your bikes
Before you head in
You take one last look at the night sky
Picking the star
That is closest to her house
Smile
And pray she’s looking at the same star
Thanking God for life
For her
But above all things
Welcoming
Summer love
Just A Dad-A place for encouragement and support 
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