“catching the rays”

words by Diana Zhang

a sudden arm reaching behind me 

little hands squeezing my arm again and again 

the hand that used to push me away 

now reach for mine 

your laughter flickers invisible harp strings 

with softness hidden under 

your scrunched up nose 

we sit next to each other 

you tell me about the rays on your bright orange shirt 

and you like the beach 

maybe you’ll go catch the rays one day 

braver than the conquering boats 

Under the sun