“Searching for crystals in the dried-up creek” by Scarlett Kaplan ’24

Searching for crystals in the dried-up creek. By Scarlett Kaplan ’24

Part of my August haze, Once again spent on that beloved farm. Two weeks staring into the suns blinding rays, To me this place was nothing but charm.

That was when I was young. All older than me, back then my cousins would look my way. Through the berry fields always with sugar on our tongue. With the dogs and the chickens and the goats we would play

Always together, we would frolic those rolling lands, Now I walk through those berry rows As the sweetness of the fruit lingers on my tongue, utter silence expands, Around me. Nothing is the same, my boredom at this moment shows. Now the only sounds they exchange are those of greetings and goodbyes.

They don’t seem to miss it, those happy days of play, But I still remain on that swing we used to soar on, alone I ignore its decay.