The Caress of Nightfall: a collection of short pieces

contained below water

I should have watched the way remarks rolled off my tongue back then
like how I watched water droplets dance upon a pane of glass;
carefully watching as I contemplated them slip down the transparent surface.

I never contemplated then.
Only watched as I forced bodies to contain themselves as if trapped
suffocating within glass coffins.

I never thought to pull them out of the dark waters of their tanks
instead of watching them as they choked
on the words that slipped carelessly from my lips.

I should have held them softly
as they struggled to regain their lost breaths,

But,

I was the one holding them below
the water's frigid surface
letting their demons grab hold of their ankles pulling them;

pulling them into their abyss.