The sea defences have ruptured

There are fault lines in the walls

We hold ourselves tightly

Against fleeting memories

The swell of the sense of loss

When there is nothing to hold on to

No solid footing of familiarity

Just slippery rocks and grave-like loneliness

We tumble in the current

And our breaths are filled with salty waters

It’s sharp and cold and dark

Flailing arms and kicking legs

Panicked eyes and tangled hair

Washed up on a sea shelled beach

Breathing deeply, once again

A mollusc without its shell