When Freedom Smelled like the Lake

I walked the streets barefoot

When freedom smelled like the lake

And watermelon never tasted so fresh.

I spent my days half-naked

And rode my bike wherever it would take me

When freedom smelled like the fire

I roasted my marshmallows with.

I made a home in the trees

To converse with the wilderness

When freedom smelled like the grass

Where the rattlesnakes would hide.

I slept for hours on the beach

When freedom smelled like the sun

and burnt my skin.

The wet sand squished between my toes

With each step I took

When freedom smelled like the approaching storm

And rain was a beautiful nuisance we joyed in.

We watched the sunset from the boat

Ignoring the reprimands from our mothers

When freedom smelled like the vodka slushie

We drank in secret.

My legs pumped as the swings went higher

My eyes transfixed on the color explosions above me

When freedom smelled like the biggest firework show on Earth.

The car slid along the gravel

And I looked out at the glistening water

Disappear over the horizon

When freedom smelled like it was fading away.