BURNT SIENNA

I got a story to tell that’s hard to explain.
Please bear with me as I swerve in the lane
Of memories. I promise to do my best
To confess and get these feelings off my chest.

I was coloring in my book on the front porch
It was the middle of June, sunny and scorched,
She stopped by and said she admired my crayon box.
She wore jean shorts, a rayon shirt, and slouch socks.
Her name sounded nice. It was Brienna.
She said her favorite crayon was burnt sienna.
I said, “Funny, I only see that color on our TV monitor.”
She said, “I just really like it, plus it rhymes with my moniker.”
OK, OK, OK. We didn’t really talk that way. Illogic.
But our imaginations were pretty kaleidoscopic.
We quickly became friends, she was new in town
Two peas in a pod, we cruised around
That summer, we never slumbered, just laughed and joked
Mischievous kids, we got in trouble with our folks
Riding bikes with popsicle sticks in our spokes
Tagging up walls, dodging the law, and climbing oaks
Soon the fall began, bringing school in session
We were in the same class, same grade, same lesson
Our favorite subjects were recess, lunch, and PE.
Favorite snacks: Crunch n’ Munch and anything sugary.
We were inseparable, even teased the older meatheads
Steadily building up our 4th grade street cred

We took the bus home after the last school bell.
It was hot. It was cramped. Elementary school hell.
So we decided to skip the bus and take a stroll
And see what new adventure would unfold.
We got halfway home when she tugged on my sleeve
Said she knew a secret path home that was covered with leaves
A woodland sea of orange and brown, burnt sienna all around
Slowly falling down, this was our hallowed ground
It was our little world, a land where we could dream
Never was there a place so free and serene

Then one day she told me she would meet there after school
She said “see ya there” and I said “cool.”
Before I left the premises, this I almost missed,
She leaned over sweetly and gave me my first kiss
My heart was beating so fast, a mile a minute,
Floating on cloud nine, happiness infinite
I glided to the street path, never touching the ground
I’m sure my grin could be seen for miles around
So I sat there and waited
And waited…and waited
Seems like a lifetime went by, or so it felt
I ended up walking the secret path by myself
The minute I got home, I told my parents
I was a ball of nerves, which was so apparent
They called her parents, who called the cops
Within hours, the whole neighborhood was combing the block
Prayers, volunteers, and hopes flooded the area
There hasn’t been an experience that was scarier.
We held an event at school, to let Brienna know she wasn’t alone
To let know we loved her and we wanted her safe at home

The next day still haunts me again and again
I can still visualize the scene, just around the bend
A few feet down the path, near the shadowy end,
Among the orange and burnt sienna, they found my best friend
One shoe was missing, her hair was all mangled
The coroner said that she had been strangled
Her clothes were torn and backpack stranded nearby
Her eyes were wide open, fixated on the sky
Even in death, she was still looking for answers from up high
This is the origin of my soul’s eternal cry

It’s been 25 years and the pain’s not erased
It’s part of me now, here at your resting place
On this morning, mourning is the only emotion
I tried to move on, but was consumed by the notion
That I could’ve done more for you, but I was of no use
Yeah, I know that I was young but that’s really no excuse
I could’ve protected you, I’d trade my life for yours
Your limitless spirit, your smile I adore
I admit that any woman after you can’t get a fair start
Because none of them knew the secret path to my heart
Like you did. My feelings for you are deep rooted.
Your parents still live on the corner of 10th and Euclid.
The world didn’t deserve you. You’re too good for us.
I close my eyes now as the wind sings a chorus,
Whispering your name in rich, bold melodies
Spreading you to the world, with vivid memories
Of coloring books, and sleepy autumn days,
Beautiful friendships, magnificent sunrays,
And you—my first love and best friend Brienna
And this is how I will always remember burnt sienna.