the breath before the kiss

we were just children then
we didn't know
the love that blossomed that night
would diffuse just four days later

it didn't matter when the air was warm
and the sand was under our feet
we looked out onto the ocean
your sweet mexican hand in mine
whispering your secret language into my ear

we were just children then
but we were more mature in that moment
when you brushed the wet hair out of my eyes
and lowered yours because you were scared
and my lips trembled as yours came near

i felt your breath against my own
like two external lives dancing in the sweet summer air
like it didn't matter that we were just children
because we loved each other

we loved as children do
with flashlight tag and teasing and pulling hair
we loved as teenagers do
with awkward glances and brushing fingertips
we loved as adults do
with momentary bliss and lost goodbyes

we loved
your chica and my mexican boy
we were just children then
but hands clasped against the sea breeze
the middle of the night, against the rules
the only two people on the beach
the only two people in california

we loved
like we could embrace and love forever
but we were just children then