Writing Challenge - Last DAy

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about something that will stick with you (or someone/something else). The poem could be about an event, a moment, a song, words said, words unsaid, etc. It should be something memorable.


The Beach at Indian Wells

We climbed up the life guard stand
She, ahead of me, fast and barefoot.
Me, looking down, judging the distance of the fall
as ever

The wood was cold and slick
the night - just night, moonless
nothing to it
nothing to remember really
We giggled (at what, always,
what?) and stretched to reach the
wet, scaffolded possible footholds.

We did seem high up, now
on the lifeguard's bench
settling in next to eachother,
facing the ink black Atlantic.

Cars that came down to the beach parking lot behind us
illuminated the waves for a second in their climb
then lights out
ocean out - black
crash and crash extending down the long,
long vanishing beach

We told eachother
as we had for decades, decades
because we couldn't not say it
again and again
couldn't not notice and be grateful still
as if it could change
how it was always easy to talk
no matter what or what about
what a miracle to just be understood
in everything what luck
to be sisters

Tell me again the story of the star-thrower.
I have forgotten.

sometimes a shy hand-holding

always she reaching out for me
when she was ready
and letting go
when that was done.

We did not look down
but out to the dark black sea
as if either of us was ready
at any moment
to dive into blackness
or to jump straight down
to save a life
-to save a life, or die trying.