Do
you remember Summer ‘99?
The
empty barn and field of unpicked fruit
Gave
the sea a wink and knowing smile.
They
said, “Those kids, right there, will never leave.”
Even
though The Island washed away,
And
no more can we play, those days remain.

I’m
older and only memories remain.
Fated
is time; it gives me 99
Problems,
most unfixable. Away
Goes
the kid who knew the sea and fruit
Fields
so well. Oh, well. We had to leave.
It
takes everything sometimes to smile.

Some
days on The Island I would smile
At
the rusty water pump, a remain
Of
families past. All the kids would leave
The
water running. Then, we’d find 99
Ways
to catch starlight in our palms, while Fruit
Pie
Perfume lingered, then wafted away.

Now,
those kids are good and gone away.
Off
to college goes the eldest, his smile
Visible
but lacking youth. The fruit,
By
now is eaten, but his shells remain,
Hidden
in brown boxes, 99
And
counting. Now what’s left to do? Leave.

You
know by now that it was hard to leave.
The
ocean’s image can’t be taken away
From
us, it’s blue ingrained. 99
Sea
songs forever playing in me. I smile
To
forget that it’s gone. The only remain
Of
innocence left, now bitter fruit.

Regardless
of our loss of youth, the fruit
Still
grows on the trees. We had to leave,
Yes,
but memories and stars remain.
No
matter if the storm forced us away;
Nostalgia
keeps The Island safe… so, smile.
Do
you remember Summer ‘99?

Please
don’t leave, oh please! Don’t go away.
The
smell of fruit and easy urge to smile
Both
remain of Summer ‘99.