Today

I missed Elm's Beach.

Wandering in the sunlight.
Plucking glinting shards from their
sandy graves.
The cardinals playing in the grass.
Lapping waves, sometimes crashing.
Grey, Blue, Yellow, White, Pink days

Remembering a time when I was hurting.
Walking straight faced across the iced pond.
Wanting to hear a crack.
Hearing my heart beat instead.

Another time.
I felt so free that day with you.
I had taken other boys there.
High School and beyond.
You were my favorite, my companion.
I knew you then.

Let's go to the place where mermaids live.
Take me there, again.