Under the Sunset by Summer Peace
The sun sets over the water in my dreams.
Only in those dreams is the sky streaked with pinks
Purples and blues and cotton candy clouds.
The sand is soft under our toes,
The wind blows through our hair.
Our reflections in the water stare back at us,
Happier than we’ve looked in a long time.
Green sea turtles swim by, brushing at our ankles,
Allowing the cool currents to calm our calves.
Even as I am about to be knocked over by a wave,
You never let go of my hand,
Which only means you get knocked down too.
The water is still warm enough that neither of us mind
Our white clothes getting wet.
The palm trees sway behind us in the wind,
Brown coconuts line the shore.
I find myself unable to enjoy the sunset.
I’m too busy enjoying you.
The pinks and purples and blues of the sky
Cannot compare to the milky brown of your eyes.
The soft white sand doesn’t come close to your
Soft, pale skin.
The delicate hum of the wind that ruffles our hair
Is nothing like when your laughter tickles my ears.
Your reflection will never be as good as
Being able to see you in all your tangible beauty.
The world is incomparable to you.
With a clap of thunder, and a wet squish under my feet,
I am transported back to the muddy street.
Pretty colors fade into a grey and black existence,
An existence where you walk by,
And I stand on the other side of the street,
Staring, waiting for you to notice me.
You only ever look at me under the sunset.
Photo by Josh Adamski
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