M. Hank

We sit in the sun, ethereal like silver lightning bolts fizzing out on golden lakes.

The ocean does not forgive. It never has, not when waves grab our lungs and pull us under, or when tsunamis choke our hearts.

I’m fine.

I know I’m crying,

but that’s normal.

I’m just fine.

I feel like I’m dying,

but who doesn’t?

It’s only been a few days and sadness feels so far away

This feeling, it isn’t salvation

The girl who used to scream for others pains is shut out

She fights to be free, to make me suffer for something I don’t feel nor control

Sickly sweet,

Your words touch my prefrontal cortex

Like soft burning snow.

Your touch tastes sweeter

Than ice cream

On a humid sun-streaked day.

You,

Frost-borne by the north wind,

Author Bio: I wrote "Take Me Away," when I felt swamped with a growing list of things to do. It made me miss the days, in the pandemic when I’d run around the backyard, screaming “I’m bored!”