summer memories

sandcastles and running through the tall grasses that grew along the shoreline

a boy with shaky knees

hazel eyes and brown hair

lost socks and wet dress hems and gazing at clouds until they formed shapes

he always saw a dog, or maybe a dragon 

i always saw a cat

a hand that reached out

“if you fall, i’ll catch you”

a kiss full of sunshine and salt air

the sun reflecting on the water,

salt drying on our skin,

summer breezes

the tide coming in

and neither of us

ready to go home.