The sun's descent was caught in the waves, darkened to a ruby's luster
and there was only our voices; movement written in the sand
We lay sprawled, sand clung to the swimsuits that framed our curves.

My fingertips drifted along your stomach, quietly bored with dialogue,
I placed my mouth on your jutting hipbone, tentative, and imagined
that we were lovers in love.

Contrary, you lifted your hand to my hair and smiled at my oddness;
an illusion of a different affection that I pretended existed.

"What are you doing?"
"Does it bother you?"
"No, but it feels strange. Why did you kiss me there?"
"Your forehead is too far."
"Why would you kiss me at all?"
"Because I love you."

It was not a lie, nor has it ever been, but you mistook it for the love of comrades
And I left you to your perception of my fondness; I feared otherwise.

The sun was gone when we meandered back to the truck, and it was dark
You were blind, said so, and took my elbow with a grin in your voice
I led you through the path, mentioned low branches and tree stumps,
and I felt the twist in my chest at your nearness; yet you were farther away than I could reach,
I knew this, and found refuge in silence.

We left the beach to lovers, and moved on to new things
I attached myself to Words like lovely mistresses; you left me behind with the dunes
for pavement and the many companions of intimacy.

Two years,
You came back eventually, when sex seemed only a trite thing, as I hoped you would,
despite myself.

We stood again at this beach of our adolescent years, braced against cold wind,
under the affect of a different sort of kiss
There was a distance in your stance and I sighed, given to loss at my recklessness,
until you spoke with a placate quality in your tone,

"Why did you kiss me?"
"Did it bother you?"
"No, not really... but you missed your mark by a bit."
"You're too short. I could only reach your nose."
"Then why bother at all?"
"Because I love you."