Cold Water on Hot Flesh

Sand meets sea in a secluded site

Skin slips into the salted space with the sense of serene security

A swim to strip the soul of burden

A simple service supplied only on Saturdays 

A schedule that has survived six weeks

Soon to be slaughtered without seeing seven

Sour for the swimmer, sweet for the spectator 

Smiling while studying the subject, its strong strokes slapping the sparkling surface

Shallow stops and starts to stretch; enough space to sink.

Seizing the standing appendages, searing and satisfying 

Shock smears the face, and so sacrificing safety for secrecy stitched a sinister scene

Screams search for sound and before they can stir they are stilled

Setting silence underneath the sapphire skies

Water sprints and slices the lungs, a sharp supply of suffering

The serpentine creature settles after the scorching soak, leaving the submerged shape to spoil

Scales slide and shed, a sublime shift

Skin meets shore, smooth flesh.