they warned me about people like you.
boys with the sea in their eyes
and hands that leave ripples in the wake
of everything they touch.

your tide is swelling
and it rolls through my tongue –
sweet and salty and
satisfyingly destructive.

i taste it and spit out the calm.

they warned me about people like you.
boys who love in waves and wash
themselves ashore
and settle beside the chaos.

they warned me of people who love.