all the children return from their weekend trips brown skin

caramelized warm blotchy sunburns faded and red

mouths like swollen roses, lips closed around plump words

cheeks hollow tongue dry eyes feverish skin clean

still glimmering with sweat strands of remembered

exhaustion like a rainbow

the only cracks in their smooth, full wholeness are small

their watermelon seed eyes molded nostrils gaping mouths

the streaks in their hair still lined with dirt the soap

not masking the wildflowers and grass scent they strut,

their eyes are eyes wide and beautiful.