Hope?

I could no longer feel you, you were
not really here, but lost in the sea of a gaping wound
swimming or fighting, white wave faster than you
your pale mortal presence almost swallowed, swallowed
not really here and barely afloat, the pearly froth
in your open mouth, down your throat, desperate cough
eyes closed and arms tense: you were lost at sea --

spear in your chest, overwhelmed beyond panic
gasping, cramping, your cry unheard,
heart struck by liquid lightening
you disappeared in the white, white waves
I counted
a second
then two …
I swam to you
the sky scrolled above
some clouds pregnant with rain
just rug doll limbs and livid lips
when wrinkled, you held my arm
rhythm frenetic, learning to breathe again--

your cold back resting on the warm calm sand
as the first heavy raindrops
left craters on the strand --

Today, I wonder,
- do you still play hope?-