I know I didn’t mean
That thing you thought I said,
My meaning lost
By that most unreliable witness
Named low expectations.

And yet again I’m mired knee-deep
As, through saline diamonds, your gunmetal eyes
Pull me beneath,
A violent, stroboscopic death-roll of accusation and hurt.

Flashes

My breath is gone

I’m drowning

My breath is gone

I’m thinking you’ll go too

I’m sinking.

And I concede myself to the dark
Knowing this time we’re over.

Over.

And then – it’s over.

I am beached again.
The sun warms my back.
And life – is back.
Eyes open. Ears clear.

I breathe.

And I love.

And you love too.

Our apologies embrace.

And we are as clean-skinned as the day before us.

Bryson Thomas