I told you it was too cold to swim that night
but I stripped down to my underwear and followed you into the water anyway

The water was warmer than the air
and in the dark it held a new texture on my skin
I don’t remember feeling cold
and I don’t remember feeling wet
it was just the sensation of being surrounded by the water
like I was part of it
I’ll never forget how genuinely happy I felt
A feeling I thought was meant to be saved
only for the most important of moments
I felt it in my whole body and all the time now

At the farthest end of the pool I turned to face you
and clung to the side of the pool
You swam right to me
and you felt so close
We hadn’t said anything for awhile
and I could feel you looking at me wholly

I’ll never forget your smile
and how it could take up your whole face
how you would exhale deeply
and raise your eyebrows up at me

I’ll never forget how you let me see you cry
and how your eyes could become bigger and greener
than ever before when you did.

Later, after you drove me home
you promised you wouldn’t forget me
and all I could do
was try my hardest to believe you