Am I looking at you, or in the mirror?
Treading open water, the surf sprays my face and stings my salty lips
A moment’s reprieve, the sun’s rays fall on my back
I turn and see the thunderhead, looming in the distance
I ponder the time it will take to consume me, and as I do so I recognize the constructs built from my expectations
Time. How long have I been drifting?
My head occasionally dipping below the surface to see the void upon which I am suspended
Only moments ago, I was diving into the sea with such courage that I might have calmed the tide
Yet, I have been here for what must have been a lifetime
In this distraction, respite from the battle to keep the rattling cages inside my head locked tight, I miss it…
The rogue wave draws me into its wake and I fall silent inside myself
I cease to fight, and it overwhelms me, both drowning me and propelling me forward
I gasp, choke on the anticipation of defeat
This world fades away and the darkness nearly engulfs me in its soft shroud
A few moments, millennia, pass, and my eyes flutter open
Another chance to cross this ocean.
Joshua Munday 