My Brightest Smile

I swam in open water,

my customary fear of drowning

left somewhere in the hot sand.

My thoughts turned still

and, at ease with myself,

I threw my head back

offering my brightest smile to the sun.

You should have been there

for that perfect moment.

You should have been on the shore

watching me

because that was when

I finally realized

I would love you fearlessly,

and you would be the light behind my brightest smiles.