Gray ocean waves
rushed the Manhattan Beach
shore.
We strolled along The Strand-
congested with laughter,
barking dogs
and skaters’ wheels rolling
over sandy pavement-
symphony of summer beach
life.
My heartbeat roared over all
the noise,
only I could hear its rumble.
I took a big gulp of briny
sea air,
my stomach felt like Jell-O,
I exhaled and tasted adrenaline.
We strolled along like so
many other weekends
but I felt lost, in my
thoughts in my feelings
rushing over me, coming to my
surface
You grabbed my hand and
pointed…
Something in the sky? The
boat in the water?
Couldn’t make out what you
said,
I know my hand slipped out of
your hand
like the giggles slipped out
your lips
I didn’t want to let go
but your hand carried away
my body heat with it.
I knew I couldn’t just be
your friend
if not having you made
a summer afternoon feel cold.
My tongue stumbled trying to
convey
to you my heart’s testimony.
I opened my mouth, wanted to
swallow the sunset
to blind you with my smile,
tell you the things that
emerge in me when I’m with you.
Your warmth all volcanic,
melts my anti-love fears
allowing possibilities to
erupt
and dreams of a future with
you hover like cumulus clouds.
But all I had was human words,
my truth
unfurled before you, earth
angel, “vision of loveliness,”
skin soft like rose petals, eyes
blue like the horizon,
pink lips that part into a
smile
that unglued me and made me
feel like a convert
of the renaissance of love.
We sat on a bench to watch in
silence
as the sun appeared to slip
into the ocean.
“The sun doesn’t actually
rise and set,
it’s us, Earth spins on its
axis…” you said breaking
the silence.
“While it rotates around the
sun,” I added.
My anxiety ebbed as I reached
for you hand, pulled
you closer to me and asked
“Will you be my sun?”
You grabbed my hand,
rested your head on me
and said “for all seasons.”
