longing

i breathe life

into the distant ocean

and the green, green trees

these entities take on

shapes that only i can see

like lovers that are always

too far to touch

and how i long for you

standing on a sandy shore

rolled jean cuffs soaked through

with briny water

stuck to my skin with dried salt

and i want you to lick it off

i ache for you

want to feel rough bark

under my hands

the romance of tucking

a single dandelion behind your ear

and biting your bottom lip

in place of a goodbye

i long for you

like a tree sapling climbing

ever closer to the sun

like an old-timey boat

captain missing the swells

and breakers of the ocean

i long for you

and it kind of scares me

how big this want is

as i write you into

the leaves like they were the

first time i put on my glasses

like watching the ocean

recede into the distance

with salty sand under my nails

and in my socks

taking parts of you with me

like the comfort in knowing

i can always go back