one night on the beach

i said to you

our shoes in the sand

your hand in my hand

in a trance of truth

i said to you

my best inner secrets

as the sun set

and a light breeze

caught your brown hair

remarkable

i said to you

touching your cheek with care

like a leaf

whispering what

i should have said

years ago

there is love that

may be delayed

but not denied

true then, true on that beach.

true still.

-- douglas brent smith