Memorized Happiness

Freedom,

The illusion thereof

Tell my 10 year old soul

To run around barefoot

To feel the sand beneath her feet

And the sun burning on her back

Tell her

To feel her belly hanging low

To run around all day long

Laughter dripping off her inexperience

Tell her to memorize that feeling

Rehearse them even

I am 10 years old

No one remembered Happy Birthday

No one except Paulina

I am 16 years old

Paulina died.

Tell her to memorize those feelings

Rehearse them even

She'd need the memory for later.