By Mark A. Leon

Remember when shit was cool
We drank because we were happy
Danced because the music moved our souls
Kissed those lips, so wet and tingly
Every time felt like the first
Life was all about Toad, Gin Blossoms, Soul Asylum, Better Than Ezra and a good 40 of malt anything

The sound of drums meant it was Friday
Late nights at the park with a cheap malt liquor and nothing but stories and laughter to share
It was a crazy life
Warm and safe
What happened stayed between us, a circle of trust

Bikes took us to heaven and back
The Crue reminded us of Home Sweet Home
Baseball cards were our 401k
Winter was cold, summer at the lake and dreams were without limit

No curfew
No rules
Just a world without remorse
HBO and rewind was all we knew; it was cool
A Styrofoam cup and string was our smart phone

Home movies meant the world
We were the center of the universe
Oscar winners and superstars
The red carpet was main street, small town USA and the prom was the night of a 1000 stars

With my Walkman, I escaped life and dream about her
My secret love
Love came walking in by Van Halen, over and over and over again
Never imagining I’d see her at the reunion and feel that same tingle inside

Depression meant snow on the ground and no snow day

Manhood happened behind the convenience store
Skateboards and a glimpse at Playboy
Branded in our head, Miss July; forever in our hearts
Still my dream girl, that brunette laid out on three pages

Stealing penny Swedish fish so invigorating
Shhhhh
I’ll never confess

Remember when shit was cool
Security breach was breaking through our window screen because we forgot our key
Home alone, of course
Our parents worked and we played
The cool kids had a pool; wore the varsity jacket and owned the land

Times were right; gnarly and out of sight

It was a sugar high