you know that feeling 
when you’ve swam under
water for so long that you
feel as if your lungs are about 
to burst? 

but then you break through
the surface and the air 
becomes a sweet elixir that 
you can’t get enough of? 

that moment of relief 
as the air washes over 
you just as the waves 
did moments before? 

that’s what i feel
with you not here 

you have almost 
faded from my mind 
just a lingering image 
of what was once
the only thing i saw 

but then you rush 
back to me 
    briefly
      strongly 
urgent waves 
of memories that 
drown me out 
completely 

you’re always leaving 
me but then again 
i’m always there 
for when you return 

i am the shore & you are the tide