depth

Dumbstruck by the play of dipping golden winter sun, clouds and waves

You crept in behind my back

Several captured images later I turned to leave the island

and saw what you’d done

what you’d begun to do.
Your current already slopped across the causeway, rising steadily

meaning my return would be wet


A short drive home in soggy pants would be all.


Still hurry now, you demanded

Casting your line for a confused urgent impulse

hooking it with aplomb


You weren’t that deep, you wouldn’t rise that far or fast, but get a move on

Wet shoes

Shins

Quickly now

Knees

Thighs

Just get across

Waist

So panicked I barely felt your temperature

Chest

What the fuck

Neck

Head

Incredulous, I swam


How had this happened?

Was this It?

So you were Death’s courier?

Please not yet, please not yet

I had more to offer, just wasn't sure what it was

Still


Winter-dressed legs and arms challenged your current

A hard long loud yell for help

You pressed and pushed me down:

splash

glob

deep breath

salt spat

“..on their way!” called from the shore

Adrenalin fought back: I dug and pushed and slapped

Small progress, toes flailing for a small edge of rock

Slipped by, gone again.

Land was close, I could beat you

Three specs growing larger, running down the beach

Again pointed tip-toes reached for rock

This time toes held, a stubbly slippery gradient met to the full surface of feet



Reintroduced me