the second my being crossed the outer bridge
from small suburban outskirt of city
to the sandy soil of more rural than subby -
my soul reached back for more time,
less distance.. some sidewalks? a streetlight?
my heart and mind rewinded
the tapes labeled “good memories”
inside my hippocampus - i’d unwind

chasing the echoes of laughter -
for a moment leaving the ‘now’ or after
reminiscing the safe loved ones and
happier times as i review each chapter

moments of climbing the front yard tree
just to play dolls for hours in peace,
the freedom of walking any and everywhere
as each year i grew each pair of sneakers,
and shoes accumulated miles of heavy wear
from grandma and titi’s, to snug harbor,
and parks all the way down
by old ralph’s famous italian ices or farther

playing dress up in the basement,
as the house got redone or homies in the tub-
until the skin on my knuckles and fingertips
transformed into raisins -
chasing the echoes of laughter,
as we played mermaids in the pool,
or snuck into the park after hours
when there was nothing but the streetlights
showing us our way well after dark

chasing the echoes of laughter -
of all of the hours spent here
jump rope, hop scotch, tag, block parties,
racing our bikes or scooters, manhunt,
and more - for hours on end,
from sunlight way past sundown -
it’s inspiring how every memory fits
right in one small island for eternity
preserved in my heart and soul, internally.

______


© a.Soul

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