you, me, & the sea

a heart wrapped in armor.

boys who spoke in flowery words,

hands too fast,

intentions too shallow,

eyes that had seen too many almosts.

-

under the starry sky,

sounds of the soft waves,

with beautiful hong kong skyline

-

then came you,

london boy,

quiet,

not with grand gestures,

not with promises dressed in poetry,

but with gentle presence.

-

your hand reached for her cheek,

fingers brushing the edge of her mask —

not to remove it,

but to see the girl beneath.

-

when you kissed her,

the locked door of her chest,

clicking open with a lost key,

softly,

finally.

-

she didn’t run.

this time,

she wanted to feel.

to risk,

to stay.

-

you,

me,

and the seaside —

where my closed heart,

finally breathed again.

november 2022