Serena Malcolm

Long wooden pole
Splintered
Louse infested
Makeshift hook at one end
Lowered into the water
Blindly splashing about
Knowing it’s out there
Somewhere
– Then –
The hook catches something
Something…big
A pungent smell rising
Into the night air
Mixed with cold sweat
Fear
With last ounces of strength
Digging heals into the fresh mud
– Gritting teeth –
The thing is dragged
To the bank
Sopping lapels tightly clenched
As it is heaved ashore
Tears
Fears
A dizzying head
From the smell
From the fear
A bead of sweat drops
Questions asked:
What the
Hell
Is this?
– Two more drops –
Answers given:
The past
– A slither of pain –

Throw it back…