Pants rolled up and pushed up

Struggling to hold their place around my knees

As we walked side by side

With sand seeping through the holes between our toes

And you looked at me with a smile in your eyes

And shook your head at my childish play-

Feeling at home for the first time in years

I ran out into the ocean but it wanted to keep me there-

The salt clinging to my jeans

Made my body heavy in the frigid water

As you watched me, you in the sand still smiling

And I struggling to get back to you;

Until the ocean sent a wave that carried me back to shore

And chased me away from its edge

Leaving nothing but a trace of the sea foam bubbles at my heels

And you.