Should I leave us
on that shore
with the imperfect shells
under our hardened feet

your hope matching 
the aquamarine of 
the gentle waves

mine hollow,
hidden
like the sun below 
the separation 
of sky and sea 

(we jumped to 
see its final rays
below)

In letting you go
I fear losing
healthy and
consistent 
experiences 
of love, perceived

(this loss feels paralyzing)

but if we 
keep 
on that
shore
jumping to see the
sun's descent

If I hold us
in that water
with the steady waves
and unfiltered sun

Perhaps it won't
be a loss at all.

Maybe its
always been 
a gain

I'm not there, yet
the finality of 
the goodbye

I still hold on
to memories like 
they're fallible

like they are
at risk of 
slipping away
if I don't focus
hard enough

But soon I know
it's coming;

the sun is setting 
behind its 
horizon line

and this time

I won't jump
to watch it
fall.