Seaside

Take me back to the beach
from the dream, lounging in the sand
together, the sun and sea
never quite creeping up too close.

Watch the baby with me,
playing in the water, laughing
and toddling on unpracticed legs
as we relax side-by-side.

Lean your side against mine
and wrap an arm around me
so I can pretend we’re melting,
melding into one warm body.

The baby can grow up,
grow old, get up and leave us
in favor of an independent life,
and we will stay where we are.

I’ll stare at your profile
while the tide slowly rises,
washing over our limbs
and dragging in the sand.

Ocean water can pull us
off the beach, from our quiet
reclining to down in the depths,
but we always remain intertwined.

And if we wash up again
on some new shore, my hand
will still be clasped with yours
as we settle down once more.