A Cliff and A Tide

Drops teeter in their resolve
to jump. I too felt the swift, click,
lock of my chest as space grew short,
then long. We hovered.

Your gaze glazed from a horizon line.
Mine paused on the poc holes of
your cheeks—the sprinkle
of your peppery beard.

I inhaled,
but couldn’t bring myself to ask.
You knew,
but couldn’t bring yourself to say
so we stayed—silent
and let the sounds of the swells
speak for us.