Do you see?

Darling?
Do you see those sand dunes?
Can we
take each other's hand
and scamper over them
like little children?
The sun-baked sand
will scurry delightfully over our toes.

Darling?
Do you see that water,
the rhythmic waves sliding onto the beach?
Can you
pick me up and run,
then drop me in that ice cold wetness?
I'll pull you in too, you know.

Darling?
Do you see those stones in a circle over there?
Can you
make a roaring fire
and melt away all these goosebumps?
We will make s'mores
and there will be gooey, sticky whiteness
all over our lips.

Darling?
Do you see that perfect sitting log behind us?
Can you
hold me close
and sing our favorite songs with me?
The crashing of the waves
are the perfect background track.

Realizations

I never understood
what was meant by
"when he's happy, I'm happy"
or
"when he's sad, I'm sad"

But, oh how I comprehend it now.
Perhaps more than I ever wanted to.

His frown makes me want to cry.
Either that, or I must find a way to make it better.
Now.
If I can't make it better,
I join him helplessly in his melancholy.

His smile.
Infectious, endearing, hypnotizing, vibrant.
Better than a thousand brilliant sunrises.
All disappointments of my day are gone.
And I am undeniably happy in that moment.

I never understood
how one could
drown in one's tears.

Now I do.
Because I have.

They come like torrential downpours.
They hover at the corners of my eyes
threatening to spill over at the slightest provocation.
A word, a song, a picture, that familiar voice,
all equally painful, equally debilitating.
For weeks, my cheeks are delicate and raw
irritated at the constant flow of salty tears
and incessant dabbing of tissues.
Is it possible to be on the verge of tears
for months on end?

Smile, Laugh, Embrace

Smile sweetly,
for you never know who you are blessing
with that beautiful smile.
Laugh heartily,
for what better way could you pass the time
than by laughing with abandon?
Embrace tightly,
for it is a moment to be cherished
and all too soon it will be nothing but a memory.

Smile sweetly at me,
tell me with your eyes not your words
that you smile because I am here with you.
Laugh heartily with me,
for I do not believe
there is anything better than a good laugh
with the man I love.
Embrace me tightly,
so tightly that I feel safe and warm
and entirely yours forever and ever.
Sing to me tenderly,
serenade me with your guitar
and I will forget that anyone else exists.
Sway with me gently,
move your feet to the rhythm of the music,
let me rest my head on your shoulder.
Love me wholeheartedly,
do not hold back
do not cling to fear and uncertainty
but love me with everything that is in you.

"Impression'

You are a handprint on my heart
That is not yet permanent.
For the hand has not left its print;
I clasp it tightly, refusing to let go.
I know that once I do
It will forever be just a handprint
With no trace of your strong, wide hand anywhere.
A hollow, lonely handprint
Left with bittersweet memories that linger endlessly.
But for the time being
It is twisting and settling into place,
Forming its eternal impression.
Its weight shortens my breath,
Leaves me crying with grief.
The tighter I cling to your hand
The more I suffer,
And the more firmly embedded your handprint becomes.

And yet, I hold on tighter.

Knowing you has changed me for the better,
But this handprint is a high price to pay for that change.
I cannot pry this handprint away from myself.
Love holds it securely in place
And not even the eventual fading of that love
Will result in its disappearance.
People come into our lives for a reason?
Yes, I believe they do.
And they leave our lives for a reason as well.

You have unwittingly left a handprint on my heart.
And it will be with me always,
Though you will not.

I must let go.