I dream of a staircase

I don’t believe you believe me
but there is a staircase
on a lakefront somewhere
in my dreams

I only go there when you’re around
I’ve known it forever
and it’s new
and it belongs to you

It leads to a home
on a beach
It’s summer and beautiful and tan and present and past and never and always

The life I dream of doesn’t exist without you.

Wood chips under heavy tires
crunching, and their scent
and exhaust fumes, petrichor

Lugging coolers
wearing tee shirts
salt skin sand
Off the road, up the driveway, along the path, down the staircase

This is all true.
The life I dream of is with you.