The Day You Drowned

- to Oswaldo, my first friend

I could hear the ocean that morning, some
thirty miles from the coast, in that way

the waves always break down without anyone
around to see the waves break down

and it made no sense that I would wake
to the sound of the waves breaking down that

morning, but there I was, awake, ocean
in my ears, and alone. I learned what happened

much later, bike tire treading water at our
park, a sign hung in the rain. You were

alone, skirting, dancing with the shore
the way you always would, the way you always did

until then, when the ocean danced with you
and led you onward, your favorite music with

your favorite partner leading you on, foam
stepping forward, you stepping back. When

the false step happened, the ocean cradled you
because you were its favorite partner

and it never wanted to lose you, to be left
alone. You, being gracious, went along.

The ocean was in my ears this morning. I hope
you're still dancing in the ocean's arms.