of photographs and static-filled skies.

it's somewhat ironic, the feelings you get.
when you're sitting on a beach. photograph in hand and you feel hopeless.
because the stars, they're not as bright as they used to be.
and the water- it doesn't break in ways
that piece you apart.

so this photograph. you stare at it and long.
another beach- somewhere far away. like the southern coast of Spain.
and you can feel it. the mist hitting your face
like the salt in the water held the key to the parts of life
you kept locked away for so long.
and the stars. you can see how they blaze in the sky.
ready to set fire to your dreams again. bring some sort of
meaning to what you are ready to give up on.
and this photograph.
it makes a mockery of the sand currently beneath
your feet.
it's then- you understand what you have to do.

it's then.
you give up everything for that feeling.
you need those waves. you need that sand. so you pack.
you leave. and you replace your life with something sold as better.
and there- on that southern coast of Spain, you feel alive.
with the sand bathing your feet in whispers of home
and the water cleansing you of all you refused to remember.
and those stars.
you look up- and your heart. it skips a few beats
when they pulse through your new sky
and you can pretend you're happy again.

and you're in love with this change.
until one night. there on your beach. the stars flicker.
your heart can't feel the pounding of the waves
and in your hand lays a photograph.
some distant beach- northern coast of Australia
and your heart. it aches.
when you realize that the wind in your hair
has grown stale. and this that you had dreamed of
has lost it's luster.

head in your hands- you think back to what you left to get here.
and what lies before you. the rain that used to fall
when you stood under the pier and felt life.
the broken shells by the water line- and how they held answers
and you begin to fall apart- when you understand
that going back- isn't an option. so it's rational
to believe this photograph contains heaven.
so you begin to think. and feel the waves of that distant beach
once more. listening to the wind when you sleep
and how much happier you'll be on that beach.
when you leave this one behind- like each before.
so you pack.
and you leave.

and you're happy.
for a while.