Lyrics float through overcast skies,
Measuring a summer’s day.

Turning away, I close my stinging eyes.

--

“There, to the left…
Your other left,” he chuckled.

On dirty knees, my cousin and I scooted on the ground.
I lifted a dark green leaf, rough between my fingers

And held up what I’d found.
He squinted for a better look and bit the tube at his mouth;
His chair moved forward.

“Now that there is one FINE cucumber.
Those plants are thirsty, though,
So you girls go ahead and get ‘em something to drink.”

My cousin jumped up and clenched the metal at the hose’s end,
But sprayed me first
When I laughed as it twisted in her hands.

He watched and smiled as we danced
Barefoot in the rainbow mist.

--

They played Tangerine
as they lowered him into the ground.
The dirt was cool and muddy now;
It clumped at our shoes.

She and I stood, laced by clammy hands
As a guitar riff weaved through the air and furrowed our brows.
Her tears upon my shoulder, she whispered,
“He’s walking in gardens.”

Shuffling my foot through the dirt,
I lifted my eyes to hers and smiled.

“I know.”