He reaches for my ankles with

bone-white fingers

and a calm, toothy smile.

Screaming high and kicking hard,

I call for friendless help that can

never find and never touch me.

Beneath his endless waters,

I hold my air, tight, to live

but find I can breathe, thick and slow.

He holds me in his gentle arms, and

bone-white wings

unfold from my trembling back.

We soar into the cloudy sky,

where he smiles, nods his head,

and lets me go.