REACHING FOR ANYTHING

Reaching for anything:

Anything, a Bubble

That might keep me afloat, and give rest to my ever churning legs.

The dark and toothy menace far below

The Bubble

Smoke ringed, bright thinged, angel winged

I’m here, up here, keep coming, up here!

I reach, and stretch, and grasp at the thin water that threatens to consume me...

I can no longer churn, Bubble, wait for me, WAIT FOR ME

Fly me from here please fly me away from here!

And I feel them, I almost smell them, copper fear singeing my nostrils

I sense their sharp fins

And their dead eyes

Doll eyes with no porcelain, no frills, no dresses

I sense them gaining, distance, speed, emitting bloodneed

I panic

I PANIC!

I look down in panic, as the hairs behind my aching neck twang even beneath this water

First the dark spiral, the faintest movement’s whoosh!

Dark beauty in a hot wet hell

I recall the tender innocent words of my niece when I tease her that I want to eat her all up

BUT I’M NOT FOOD

I scream silently!

Stay where you are!

And I reach and I reach

Stretch and I stretch!

But I cannot reach enough to protect the tips of my toes, and I scream, water filling mouthnose!!!!

OH NOs!

OH NOs!