red tide in the morning

i stuck my fingers into the water, expecting it to close around them and burn my fingers increasingly more red.

but the water shied away from me like i was the poisonous one. large, red-looking droplets shimmered out of my way, and the liquid swelled up around me, as if i was making a clay vase.

my hands remained dry, like the sun.
my heart; beating like a shallow drum, all the tiny chords pumping and breathing and stretching out in the bloodstream.

with my face downwards, buried in the scent of the salty, sulfurous water, i told him to step out, with his tired feet. i saw his grin in my mind, all wrapped up with a strong hue of memories. i turned my head around and around yet again, but he was nowhere to be found.

i caught my breath, placing it back into my lungs. and walked as far away from that vivid place as i could. for it was filled with his lack of presence.