Backfloat

25 4 7
                                        

Cloud-vacant darkened sky,

muffled ears

under woolly coolness

of chocolate-icing water,

choppy,

unsmooth,

iced by an unprofessional

child-chef.

Stretched-out limbs

like a blown-up starfish

floating dumb and mindless

and alone.

Bobbing apples, eyes obscured

temporarily, under cold salt

swishing

swashing

slipping sliding.

Sticky candy-apple lips

pursed tight against

salty smoothness

licking

lapping

lisping loving.

Slow breaths flow freely

through nose,

sticking upright from the water like

ancient uncovered bones

from sand;

Wind whipping off years of hiding

to reveal

the unknown death.

Slowly floating, bobbing

silent, unaware

from the sand: waves washing

gently, nudging

against the starfish boy.

Leading him

away

from shore.

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