As we sunbathed on the beach,
I let my mind wander back to
my last temporary respite
back home on Independence Day

Dad reminding me just how great I was while
Mom pushed me off of
the crumbling altar of childish heartbreak
at which I stood, baffled

A beer (and funny puns) with the governor
on top of the world, with a view of forever
and the happiest smile I’ve ever seen
from a greeting and a summit
and the booms of illegal fireworks alight
in the eyes of our applauding crowd

Her laughter at my horrible sunburn
as we raced down water slides, six months
before our hearts raced
as we fumbled in the sheets

I looked over and he was smiling
as he watched the tide roll in and out.
I smiled back (we didn’t need words),
clinked my beer with his,
and we watched the sun set.

03/31/2012