hold me to your ear and you will hear my heart beat echo,
breaking in waves. pull your fingers apart and the ocean
will spill through the cracks, salt water stinging your
cuts and filling your lungs until you're so far under your
toes can't touch the bottom. search for the light on the
surface, but you won't reach it. stars can't shine that deep.

on land you carry my heart cupped in your hands, but you're
afraid to touch it. you can see your reflection in the water
and there is fear in your eyes and running through your veins.

home is dirt, not sand, spring air without salt. home is sunlight
filtered through oak leaves, not raw against your skin. home is
mist in the morning, light on your cheeks, water in the air.
my heart travels while home stays put.

my heart belongs somewhere else but for now it is in your palm;
for that I am not sorry. i'm a long time traveler but even
travelers need to rest at night, and dear, it's night outside.
or can't you see the stars shining?