'Stranded' by Courtney Staib

Stranded
by Courtney Staib
 
Promise me
You’ll always remember
You are braver than you think.
 
When the time comes
To jump over the ocean, when
Her waves pummel you into the
Sandy floor, remember that
You are clever enough to
Grow wings and glide back to shore.
 
I will be here
With my feet buried in the sand, waiting
For your return.
 
When the storms come to shore
And her waves pummel me down,
I stand up--
Soaking and drenched in salty water--
And I look out to sea.
 
There is a fire in the brush behind me.
I see it
Growing with rage,
But I can’t run.
 
Your hand breaks through
The murky water.
 
Are you coming back?
 
Ferocious flames begin spewing their venom
Just beyond my reach.
 
Can you see me?
 
My skin is melting, but
My feet won’t move.
 
Can you hear my cries?
 
Flames are swarming around me and
I can’t breathe.
I close my eyes to envision
Wings emerging from my skeleton
To take me away from you, but
You are engrained in my bones.
 
Edited by August Wright