surface

water cold, depleting
energy with grim
determination
at the hour before
dawn
when hope wanes
thoughts weigh down,

sinking

with the oppression
of despair

as the lonely
icychill encloses
overhead
a prayer is sent
to the surface

surfacing;
the prayer, like a
bottle containing
the last message
of hope

finds someone

whether nymph or angel
the creature unknown
reaches down
into the icychill,
pulling me
up
to the surface

breaking the numb
enclosure
I look into
the face of the creature
unknown, and find
a face

familiar, and
as close to me
as my own heart
the creature
is now known to me

and wears
the face of a friend.

my savior, my friend.