Cloudy night

Shut eyes
Dark
Tears
Thoughts
Pounding
Grip knees
Red fingers
White knuckles

Open eyes
Light
Old carpet
Stains
Old couch
Moth balls
Old soup
Wrinkle nose
Sniffle

Pale face
Red eyes
A picture frame
A memory
The smiles
A mockery
False
Fed up

Head up
Stand up
Eyes dart
Screen door
“Welcome” matt
Bare feet
Open, slam
Gone

Speed
Grass
Gravel
Pavement
Slap, slap
Rock
Blood
Faster

Wind
Thunder
Drizzle
Rain
Slap, slap
Slip
Trip
Up, go

Cramp
Tight
Lungs
Sign says
100 feet
Not much farther
Head up
Must run

Raw feet
Slap, slap
Boardwalk
Gasping
In out, in out
Salty air
Sting
Keep going

Sand
Smooth
Shells
Toes
Slow?
No
Deep breath
Sprint

Anger
Hurt
Soul
Pain
Scream
Past
Wish
Hope

Forget
Remember
Love
Gain
Regret
Lose
Collapse
Ground

Wet sand
Hands and knees
Sink in deep
Waves crash
Mouth full
Sputter, cough
Head in hands
Breathe

Rain stops
Cold air
Shiver
Remember
It’s November
Bare legs
Bare arms
Bare feet

Never felt so good

Wet hair
Stuck to face
Sandy body
Chills
Feeling
Free
Inhale
Exhale

Release
Let go
Look up
The moon
Clouds?
Gone
Chapped lips
A smile

Alive.