welcoming with open arms
your swingset, torn under my seat
into two pieces, the household
i never wanted you to see
i promised myself over a glass of water.

the wind rushing
past you, sweeping you off your feet
in my dreams, into my arms
gray eyes lost in the dusk
i would keep you safe.

pruning and prying
into my personal space, you
had no right to be there
and yet you fit perfectly
you spoke in possibilities, not realities.

that same heartbeat screeching
to a halt, stopping
in its tracks a wake of dust
and missed opportunities to say goodbye
we embraced silence over speech.

perhaps
in a perfect world
i wouldn't flinch at your touch.