you always ran ahead

your smile reckless, pulling me forward

i showed you things i thought we could laugh at

you took them deeper than i ever dared

(why didn’t i stop)

the night was quiet

water folding over itself,

the air heavy with something i didn’t understand

i see you there, your arms open wide

i wasn’t there when it all broke apart

the tide carried more than we could hold

you were so full of life

i thought you’d always find your way

i remember your voice, sharp with joy

the bottles clinking in the dark

we were too young to know

what would stay, and what would take you

i wasn’t there when it all broke apart

the tide carried more than we could hold

you were so full of life

i thought you’d always find your way

if i had seen what lay ahead

if i had stood closer

would you still be here

laughing at my fears

or was it already too late