C.J. Heck (August 10 / Born in Columbus OH - now lives in PA)

when I miss him most
I walk to the beach
the memories are always clearer there
on the sun-warmed sand
where the wind's fingers play in my hair
and I can allow myself to remember

love had been
so like the sea and its waves
but waves of thunderous heartbeats
uncontrollable as an undertow
and we, just as powerless in its grip

each crest higher than the last
building to a final peak
then slowly down again
the rolling currents teasing
our own bodies home
to neap tide
our passion also spent

now I welcome low tide shadows
not those on sand
but here inside a memory.