we were driving
near the water
i was green
with a lack of land
begging him to veer away from lighthouses
he never let me drive
but it was okay
because it was one of the ways
he was older than me
and i counted on him for that
leaning in he notices
my pearly white painted fingertips
resting against the tan leather of the car
and says
your nails are beautiful
i say the color is called
love affair
and he says
of course it is, baby girl,
of course it is…