CHALLENGER'S RAP

• Beyond the lake's horizon, squinting emotionlessly at the glorious color-mesh
• Of faint orange to dark purple another day resets the loop when the sun will set //
• A 5 o'clock shadow and rosy cheeks, exposed skin slapped by the coldest of winds
• I stand frozen and sullen in the shallow water with faded jeans rolled to the shin //
• Sploshing in a slow limp with algae and sand under my feet as I walk
• Along the slippery rocks making my way back to the seaweed-laden dock //
• Clambering up onto its damp wooden platform in an exhaustive motion
• To a gentle tumble I lay still in the fetal position distraught and broken //
• Arms clenched tightly to my legs I shiver in a steadily pacifying fright
• Slipping in and out of consciousness amidst this ever-so silent night //
• Several minutes passing, I sit up and crawl for the nearest post to sit against
• Grumbling at pangs I shakily reach for my shirt-pocket to smoke a cigarette //
• Lighter without flame, began propping myself up to the low-hanging suspended lantern
• Lit the cig and fell to my knees, thus, the luminescence of inhaling projected black fur... //
• Smoke rolled out of my nostrils as a few tears disappeared into the running blood on my face
• Lifting my head towards the shore seeing the collar, dog tag, and an empty bottle of booze,
• I can only wonder what came. //
• In a nervous grin,
• I observe the shallow waters behind me
• By the looks of everything including the red circle of blood's dispersion,
• This beast and I were fighting, it was dying
• Though there's no trace of it scurrying,
• I now know not where it is hiding. //
• I drag myself to the edge...
• I drag myself to the edge of the dock for a rinsing and
• Can't help but
• Breakdown crying. //