Tropic Heartbeat

Harbor heat shimmering over chrome,

Hibiscus on your wrist says “welcome home.”

Nylon strings throw sparks along the breeze,

Traffic turns to tide between the trees.

Finger-snap tempo, shoulders align,

Close as a whisper, we fall into time.

Tropic heartbeat—keep me in time,

Palm-leaf rhythm, bright as lime.

Hold me a little, don’t let me fade,

Turn this boulevard into a wave.

Marimba footprints on the painted lane,

Steelpan halos in a tangerine rain.

Your smile unbuttons the summer air,

Every step writes, “I’m already there.”

Finger-snap tempo, shoulders align,

Close as a whisper, we fall into time.

Tropic heartbeat—bring me in time,

Salt on our lips, sugar in rhyme.

Hold me a little, don’t let me fade,

Make this midnight a coral parade.

Let the brass bloom, count it—one, two,

Hands in the heat, I lean into you.

Nylon curves draw circles fine,

We kiss the downbeat right on time.

Tropic heartbeat—write me in light,

Carry me, summer, through the night.

Keep the connection, hold me tight,

Tropic heartbeat—be my guide.

Ceiling fans murmur; ice gives a sigh—

We keep the ember while the stars slide by.