it’s what
any drowning
man would
do, any
drowning man
would
reach up
and grab
that first
reachable hand
that first
hand offering
relief from
the sea
and all
you have
to do
to avoid
drowning
is sign

here

and then

here

and then over

here

list your assets
and next of kin
and social security
number and
addresses
for the past
ten years
and that hand
will pull
you out of
the water,
only to shove
you deeper

once you’ve
caught your breath.

David LaBounty