The Raft

The raft was breaking.

Just the two of us, on opposite corners, rocking gently, drifting. She seemed secure where she was, smiling like it was all okay, but I could feel the cracks beneath me; hear the creaking wood, and knew I had to move.

She said there was no room on her side anymore. The weight of both of us would be too much for the fragile raft, she said. Maybe she was right. Either way, I couldn't stay.

I told her I would swim, to look for somewhere safe, hoping she'd grab me and pull me close... but she didn't. "Are you sure?" is all she said.

And so I said my goodbyes and slipped into the inky black waters of the unknown.

It was cold in the water and my strength drained quickly, doubt weighing on my every stroke as I pulled myself this way and that, searching for a light to guide me. But none was found and before long, I found myself back at the raft.

I called to her, reached out to her... "why can't we work together?" I cried.

No reply. No outstretched hand. No hope. No love.

I started to sink. The cold, black sea longed to claim me as its own and take me down into its empty, dark depths. My body aches with the struggle. The sorrow in my heart weighs too much now and at last, I let go.

Only she can save me now...