just friends

we ride bikes home

(west winds blow sand

across cracked pavement)

and you ask,

"can we just be friends?"

i hesitate--

then answer,

"i don't know"

our ride continues in silence

(soft skies bleed gold

over stormy seas)

and another sunset goes unnoticed

Relentless, satisfying; I had to turn away but couldn't turn it off until after the end.