We tried to watch the sun rise,

but a cloud fell and we froze inside your coat.

One arm for you, and one for me--two arms crossing, winding . . .

as the tide roared in. The highway howling high

above, the smoke rolled in and covered us.

It smothered us but still we wished the seconds

could be years. Laguna Beach was soaked in tears, the sea

retreated, the world retreated. Nothing left but sand . . .

Laguna Beach ran through our hands. A castle rose,

a story closed too soon .