the edge

 I go down to the waves on the edge 
of your kingdom and read 
someone else’s prayers aloud 
in the hope of meeting you

in the hope that the skies will 
miraculously part and you
will come down to us

in the hope that you’ve returned 
as you promised, bringing 
forgiveness in your warm hands

that I might turn my head and see
you walking down the beach, 
footfalls no longer silent and invisible, 
like a great, strong, kind lion

or, more simply, 
my best friend.