I Recall My Friend

quintina

Kennewick, Washington — Photo by Jonathan Potter ⓒ 2024

I recall my friend
Kyle drove at high speed
down this quiet street
when he lived with us
that golden summer.

Luckily summer 
didn't catch my friend
and take him from us
to the gods of speed
for death in the street.

This very same street,
some later summer,
saw that teenage speed
can take someone's friend,
or any of us.

He was one of us.
I was on the street
that night, with no friend,
and saw the summer
disappear at speed.

Others came with speed.
There was none of us
could bring back summer
for him in the street,
brother, sister, friend.

His friend did then speed
street to street to us,
to summer’s end.

---