Shallow End

Fifteen thousand years, it took that light to reach from a distant star to the waters on our feet. So, we sat and talked, of the days in our wake, and of those we love and the promises we break. But you can’t swim in the shallow end when the waters run too deep. Lost with lovers and friends are the promises we keep. The days move like waves on the surface of that pool, the visions that were made become the dreams of fools. We spoke of trust and the silence came slow— neither of us knowing where the truth might go. But you can’t swim in the shallow end when the waters run too deep. Lost with lovers and friends are the promises we keep. Words became bent, like light through water The deeper we dove, the harder to breathe, Adrift in longing not wanting to alter and what we innocently dared not to believe. If there was a kiss, it’s hold was too weak A vanishing tide on a sea unconfessed It hovered like truth too sacred to speak, a moment undone before lips could attest. But you can’t swim in the shallow end when the waters run too deep. Lost with lovers and friends are the promises we keep. In each of us lies the dust of an ancient star. Though we are bound, we cannot bond for fear of who we are. So you can’t swim in the shallow end when the waters run too deep. We drown with lovers and friends among the promises we keep.