Joy

I felt so alive.

There we were,

the three of us running around

in the rain.

Not having a care in the world,

just exploring the old fort,

walking through its dark passages,

with nothing but phones to light the way

The adventure was thrilling,

every nook and corner

told a story.

We dashed across the grass,

our sneakers getting soaked

from the flooded ground,

and we shrieked

at the cold that made

its way inside our shoes.

The tropical storm raged around us,

but hell if we weren’t gonna have some fun.

It was the weekend and what better way to spend it

than being adventurous with your friends.

We found names etched into the walls

from centuries ago

it made me realize how long this fort had existed.

Up the stairs we went to

uncover the mysteries above.

We climbed another set of newer wooden stairs

and got a view of the gulf,

its waves arcing high

before crashing into the surf.

I shielded my eyes with my forearm

trying to keep the bullets of rain out of my eyes,

they were stabbing my eyes so hard

I wanted to cry,

but instead I dealt with the burning sensation

they left behind

and kept exploring.

We ran across open clearings

and dashed under the stone ceilings after them

grateful to be sheltered,

even though we were already soaked.

It was a relief to escape the howling wind

and the pelting rain.

We would pass under arches

and marvel at the ancient cannons

that sat atop the stone

or the torpedos that stood upright like a soldier;

as we walked in different directions

following separate rooms that led elsewhere.

The winds swept the gutter water upwards

it was odd to see,

and water pooled at the bottom

of the stone staircases.

That didn’t stop us from running up them

to the next thing that caught our eye.

It was freeing to not feel fear

and live in the moment.

It’s a day I’ll never let myself forget.

So many good memories were created.