at least we had the beach

it’s quiet here

in that eery peaceful kind of way places embody after the glowing lights go cold

the echo of boardwalk chatter now hushed, replaced by the hum of unoccupied amusement park rides

lonely benches splinter, awaiting a lost lovers embrace

should we sit and watch the sunset? listen to the waves for a while

the air feels different now, thin and fleeting but familiar

this vacancy is comfortable

my only company the empty bar stools and the man behind the counter serving lukewarm beer

it’s not so bad here and at least there is the beach

the sand has lost its warmth but I’ll choose to sit here anyway

bury my toes in the cool grains and wait for my other half to return

they’ll be back one day, but until then solidarity will be my friend and we’ll enjoy this loneliness, together