most are fooled by his old man rock exterior
board shorts, on a cool day at the bay
outrunning his best friend and the waves,
kinda crooked grin, childhood reflected in his eyes

cold water surrounds her ankles
as she gazes through the fog at him -
laughing out loud and running towards the shore
idolatrous eyes fixed and dilated

he teases the dog with seaweed
twirling his arm in circles
creating a syphon that drains her heart
as he catches her watching
she looks away,
absently searching for the sunlight
that he distracted her from

it is in the distance, drawing nearer to the bank
pressing her peripherals upon his sight again.
he is gone, her shoulders fall in disappointment.
as the water retreats from around her feet,
icy liquid startles her backside
and she swings around smiling
he has run past her now,
she stands splashed by his wake
and melting into it,
while willing him to embrace her,
as mary did her son upon the cross.

walking back to the blanket,
fresh water and cigarettes,
checking her wristwatch
wishing she had time at her feet
instead of sand

he races up-
a heavy heart collapsing in exhaustion
beside her.
if only he knew the weight she carries for him.

the sun sets on another lost opportunity
and she is only mildly concerned
because her love for him is much like life
she breathes it in, blows it out,
wakes to its dawn,
and swoons with the moon after dusk
she can not recall the moment it first came to her
but she knows it is all about being here and now
as constant as the waves upon the shore they shared together this day

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