my feet were submerged in icy cold water

and i could feel the thin fabric of my shirt

stick to my heaving chest.

my eyelids were heavy, the salt water swelling them and blinding me

the briny ocean air had hardened my hair, making clumps crust together

the sand beneath me had floated around my toes, and so

i took a step further away from the shore, saying goodbye

to what ounce of life i had left inside my soul.

staring up, the celestial void was upon me

and those bright lamps that i looked for all my life

had come down for an embrace.

did you know i told the stars about you?

i whispered and giggled and wailed to them before they had to leave

and then it happened all over again.