A Formless Moment

Heavy clouds, there’s snow ahead
the aching displeasure gained and lost again
the dappled light on the water clear and faded to a deeper translucence

he holds her in the bow
gentle but close
softly consoling, calming

his hands unweaving the caught and tangled threads
light and lies and she lies limp and gasping
and the channel drops down, down the submerged shelves
car bodies

the glinting season running away, shifting south
and on the bank the grasses sigh
horses run, spooked by habit, the racing wind
look out over the water

heavy clouds, there’s snow ahead
he frees her, lowers her over the side
painted blue

and holds her in the water
revive with the cold
awaken with the cold

hers eyes wide and staring
gaping and drinking water, silent
silent

no thanks just the steady swimming away
down into the rocks
fading to a deeper translucence
and gone.