Maybe This is the Summer

Maybe this is the summer I rollerblade backwards
the summer I ride my bike with no hands
the summer I throw a curveball
the summer I find those last six stars in Mario 64
Maybe this is the summer

Maybe this is the summer I climb a tree
the summer I learn dead man’s float
the summer we get a dog
the summer a kid moves in next door
Maybe this is the summer
Maybe this is the summer

Maybe this is the summer the pizza is plain cheese
the summer Ken Griffey’s rookie card finds me
the summer I ride the Giant

Drop

Maybe this is the summer a girl invites me to a party
the summer I don’t lie in truth or dare
the summer I choose dare

Maybe this is the summer my pet bird flies back
Maybe this is the summer
Maybe this is the summer the sleepover falls asleep before me
the summer I don’t spit the warhead into the sink
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Maybe this is the summer the river in my backyard fills with water
Maybe this is the summer
Maybe this is the summer

Maybe this is the summer I ride my bike down the sledding hill
the summer the library returns all my books
the summer the circus performs in my backyard

Maybe this is the summer I dump my arrowheads back into the pond
Maybe this is the summer I buy all four railroads
the summer I camp out on the roof
the summer we go to Wisconsin Dells

Maybe this is the summer I lose my retainer for good
Maybe this is

Maybe this is the summer I add my students on Facebook,
the summer I don’t leave the dishes to rot in the sink
the summer I return my mom’s texts

Maybe this is the summer I read my book more than my phone
the summer I don’t live my life through a screen
the summer I finish watching The Wire

Maybe this is the summer I keep it all together
Maybe this is the summer that figures it all out

Maybe this is the summer
Maybe this is the summer
Maybe this is the summer

that lasts