Take a deep breathe in

Then out

Relax

The swoosh of waves in

Then out

Along the rocks you appear

Jeans rolled up

Your fisherman’s sweater

Squinty eye smile

Compass in hand

Wishing you had been there

Instead of the pay phone

Wishing you had made different choices

Asked different questions

Wishing I were different

I wish I had been different

More me

But sooner

So much sooner

I never could read a compass

“Our time here has ended” she says

“Take your time getting up from the table” she says