Building Walls

sometimes i sit at the edge of the shore counting grains of sifted sand in my hands trying to imagine how long you've been gone i build walls around me to protect me knowing the waves will come along crash against them and leave me in the ruins again i look for shadows to lift me back up listen for your voice to be carried through the wind i try to remember that southern drawl in the whispers of memories as they fall i flip through old photos trying to recall your laughter or remember your scent i close my eyes to imagine you aged with time but all i see is you stilled