My Fickle Friend, the Summer Wind

Published in the New Literati, St. Edward's University Magazine. (Spring 2021 Issue)

The leaves turn golden brown and the day breezes become cooler. My mind can’t help but wander back to those hot summer nights, the ones that were filled with endless laughter and flirtatious smiles. Those were the nights that taught us what inexplicable happiness felt like, our little piece of shared heaven. In that summer house where hospitality was a given, and worries were kicked out the door. The long hours spent together feel like distant, fleeting memories of a past life. When I close my eyes, I can still see your tousled hair and interlocked fingers as we shared secrets on Pier 33. We watched strangers walk by, living out their busy lives while sinking our teeth into juicy California peaches.

Fresh snow covers the ground and breaths of air become visible. My mind can’t

help to wonder back to summer breezes hundreds of miles away. To a place where you could

taste the sea salt in the air and feel the sand in your shoes, sticking between your toes. It was a

season of restless nights and secret midnight runs to Taco Bell. We shared champagne kisses

watching ocean sunsets dance on the waterfront. Swensen’s Ice Cream became our religion and daily bread, savoring Rocky Road kisses.

The leaves turn green again and the night breezes become warmer. My mind can’t help but wonder about the night we broke up in that cable car between Market & Powell. It was a bittersweet goodbye that lingered like black coffee on morning breath. I savor our San Francisco nights, even when the seasons change and the sun rises on new days.