heat scorched sands and
crimson shaded sweat,
oxygen ripped from within
to feed the fire.

i traced the dunes
and entered tremulous waters,
sure of my strength to
face the sea.

first a current that
tore the mesh and
painted lips with salt.

treading lightly,
pushing further as
upswept waves
raised their crest
and i dissolved
into the foam.

when my feet could
not find the floor,
excitement bubbled to the surface.

until i could not do the same.

engulfed in the expanse,
peaks pounding from behind,
the tide ripped me further.

water spilled into the
now empty cavities
from my open mouth,
with flailed arms and a
gurgled cry for help.

and in the brief moments
when my head could breach
the depths,
three things stood to taunt me:

the soaked, smothered flame.
the waving red banner.
and the ever-shrinking silhouette
of my once trusted lifeguard,
leaving me
to drown
in my own ignorance.