A Lucky High - April 28, 2026

for some reason

sitting in this morning’s sun

reminded me of the Jersey Shore

my skin felt the same crackle of heat

that came when laying on a towel,

listening to waves, the cackle of children

I remember the water was cold, though

I went in with my brothers to avoid humiliation,

dug up and smashed clams,

throwing the sticky flesh to seagulls

in mid-swoop, puzzled how they

had mastered the art of the catch

I remember little else of that me,

though recalling it was a strange

and perhaps lucky high he was on,

happy, full of energy, playful

unaware that life had levels, depth

having a good time on the surface

as if he deftly skated around complications,

never had his heart hurt, was never sad

or touched by loneliness

I should remember those,

shouldn’t I?