crack me down, figure me out and mold me
turn me into beads on this southern beach and braid me
in your hair like an ornament,
part of your collection and misfit charm

last July, near the sand
you left a trail of glass and shells
part of the scavenger hunt
where I find and count
things you left behind

July, near the sand
the clouds played volleyball
with the sun
an endless orange whose flare won't give up
playfully ending our last day,
days before you'd hate or shun
days before the phone had rung
and after we'd leave June behind

in July, with the sand
I felt my wet hair over my eyes
yet I squinted to find you
and where your riddle lies
somewhere beneath your skin and the sea's waves
I'll hear you breathe and maybe hear you say

In July, near the sea
you erased all thoughts of spring
as if they would vanish you
from this breezy paradise where palm trees sway
over our heads,
you set the rythm at which they move
with your breath and heartbeats
while I lay here beneath pillows and bedsheets

In July, I started to feel the chill of snow
knowing that I soon should go
but you stayed with your eyes fixed on the sky,
you still live in July