Junipers, When I Was Young

Summer came crashing down like a thunderhead Hordes of children released from their brick prisons My young eyes watched out the passenger window Our yard, brown spots and all, I loved it The way we ran, the sprinkler cackling in the background Voices hoarse from delighted screams, evening bubbles by Blades of grass stick to my heel, and I dream of junipers They line the front of our house, protecting it from monsters I want to take that particular green and paint my life with it Over again, just once more, standing next to the street Rubbing the needles between my fingers, sticky with life The evergreen balm sparkles through my senses Stirring up magic and stories about the high sea Night time comes and my memory stands tall The curtains in my bedroom billow like sails And outside, the castle wall still stands