Kingdom

A man drifts in the sea
far from any home
his cold blue hands
clutch the remains of his ship.

Parching in the kingdom of water,
encrusted eyes closing with salt.
His head burning in the far sun,
His feet freezing in the dark waves.

Heavens turn, clouds hide the sky.
Endless mirror, grudging kingdom.
The far is near.
Betrayed of all hope.

Forgive.
Help.
Lie.
Just save me.

Alone, all cries wasted.
Greedy sea, friend turned bile.

Lungs know what they soon breathe.

The stars climb, the sun is bored.
They pierce the sky one more time.
Not for him, but for lovers far.
Moon stares empty from his throne.
Nothing sees him drifting.

The fish circle him.
Bite him gently, taste his skin.
One beast from the depths
makes itself known,
fins cleaving the waves.
Strong, where he is weak.
It returns, ready to feast.
Water roars its secret name.

The moon reflects in the sea.
Golden and wide, veils all terror.
Reflection breaks truth—
but the shards are wise.

The piece of wood,
the last thing he never owned:
his fingers let it go—
and he vanishes—
into the kingdom of fish—
without a trace.

Human once, memory then.
No one cares.