each thundering beat

she asked about loneliness
and what it was all supposed to mean
as if somehow this singular truth
of our existence held the key
to her freedom and by extension
(i suppose) for the rest
of humanity too.
but what words could i share
to alleviate her fear
as we sat there side by side
while ocean waves crashed against
the rocky shore just inches
below our naked feet
and a slowly setting sun
warmed our backs at the end
of a long sultry afternoon.

after some time and far out where sea
and sky inevitably meet
a slivered crescent moon
began it’s climb into the evening sky
while i sat and wondered why
those incommunicable depths
which lie unplumbed within
are never enough most days
to fill us up with
all we ever really need
rather than this fruitless search
to mend a heart seemingly
forever torn in two
between each thundering
beat.