Childhood Ending - in memory of Michael Sheridan

Poem in memory of Hero Michael Sheridan by his fiance, Beverly Taylor

Bicycles down the back alley
brushed burned hands and knees.
Secret forts in the woods
almost burned down.

Summer birthday parties
a foot in the cake.
Throwing stones and running
away with friends.

Almost missed the school bus
with a guy I wouldn't talk to.
Sledding down around the turn
walking back, turning blue.

Boy next door
First date, first kiss, scared to death.
Lockers in the hallway
Spanish class disaster.

High school prom and Christmas ball,
New true love and graduation.
Dead on battlefield in Vietnam,
My childhood now has ended.