My Summers of Love

I always fall in love in the summer
in the midst of freedom
my back sticky from sweat
the constant chirp of crickets
and the feeling of grass between my fingertips
I always find myself leaning in for a kiss
with a boy I’ve only just met
with a girl whom I’ve desired for ages

But this summer is different
I am already in love
and I hope that summer
will not lose its touch

—By Ruthanne W, 15, West Orange, NJ​