Escape

Solitary on my raft Drifting peacefully away from the anguish towards sanctuary The land becomes distant and harder to see. Hurt subsides gradually and security softens my body as the expanse of the ocean beckons me towards freedom Languidly floating. Barely noticing. Daydreaming of a burdenless future. Harbingers unnoticed Winds pick up A swell begins Almost imperceptible at first Rocking, sickening Intensity builds More ominous, threatening Thrashing, disorienting Caught in the curl Lungs constrict I cannot breathe or call for help There is no help anyway Flailing wildly, finally grasping a piece of my shattered vessel Bobbing to the surface, I can gasp for air But start to drown in my own soul instead as the pain returns My limp form is tossed by the final crash of the wave It draws away I land on the beach where I started Abandoned and spent on the sand I pick myself up and search for wood to build another raft.