I long to get lost under the setting sun,
it's golden glow filling me whole,
making me full,
warming my spirit.

Shared sunlit kisses in a soft summer wind,
not even knowing where to begin.

The birds circling above,
the sand brushing by below.

My heart's been filled,
and we've no where better to go.

Carefully holding on to his thoughts,
collecting his bearings.
The tears begin to slide outside,
without my permission.
Each word feeling wrong and raw on my tongue.

The silence holds us,
each in our own minds.

I long to feel his touch.
But I cannot bare to have him feel my scars.
These rigid bars keeping me locked within.

He musters up a weary smile.
*I will wait for you, always

You and me are messy.
Stained in ways others aren't.
Crusted around the edges.

You and me are messy.
Throw us in the wash.
Hang us out to dry.

You and me are messy.
Together.
Messy together.

The scruff on his face tickles against my lips.
The only sound I hear is our unsteady breath,
In and out.
His fingertips send small rushes of heat throughout my entire body.
It was a crush.
Small giggles and holding hands.
His arms wrapped around me as I lean into him.
It was a crush.
And now it's much more.

Poker faces on Balboa,
the rainbow as our chips.
An orange glow blows past us in the thick, salty air.
Golden blue sea water carrying itself our way,
in tall graceful strides.
A vulnerability shared.
Just for us.
And the only thing I can think is:

Can I keep you?

Watching his face flicker as he forms a new plan.
He is crafty, this one.
Gentle would be a good word to describe us.
A careful couple, daring adventurers.
Carefully forming something new,
something exciting.

In a blink he was there.
An unexpected blessing.
And the seas are calmed.
My heart's waters are still.

And I appear crazy now.
Speaking to butterflies.
Asking them how they managed to find a way inside.

He put me into words.
All my features, all my quirks,
my taste in music, my love for sugar, my secret obsessions:
All into words.

I stare at myself.
Word after word,
each connected thought.
Thoughts about me.

He put me into words.
And now I see myself as he sees me.