She Wanted

She wanted to write happy poems,
The stories of her life
of sunshine, wind and bird song.
She wanted to remember what it felt like
to feel the ocean dry to salt on her arms.
To walk barefoot on golden green grass
in the dog days of summer.
To be able to let things go,
calm her mind, focus on the moment-
Remember illusions of summer calm,
throwbacks to childhoods wild abandon
Long setting suns, slow walks home and late
night games of kick the can.
Memories of sunburns that leave freckles
on your shoulders and nose.
The feel of creek, river and lake
The thrill of catching tadpoles
to keep in left over pickle jars.
She wanted to write the words
that held the warmth of summer memories
to sustain her through the lonely winters
of his absence.