two

grab an oar

he said to me

as my pack laid at my feet

taking in the scent and coolness

of fresh water i'd never explored before

this was new
but oh so familiar
as I've read in books about whales
and men and shipwrecks and the ocean floor

my eyes are full of salt water
my mouth is full of salt water
my ears are muffled from the words you are trying to say to me