No Lifeguard for the Damned

I stood on the shore that wasn't there.

The lifeguard chair held a skeleton in sunglasses. It said: "You're on your own, freak."

I said: "I know."

It said: "The water's been gone for years. What are you even doing here?"

I pointed to the horizon. Nothing there. Just dust devils and heat waves.

I said: "I'm waiting for a wave that doesn't come. Isn't that what faith is?"

The skeleton laughed. Its jaw fell off.

I put it in my pocket.

Then I looked at the chair. Then I looked at the empty beach. Then I looked at my axe.

And I decided—

—I DON'T NEED A LIFEGUARD!

I DON'T NEED A SHORE!

THE RIP CURRENT'S IN MY BLOOD!

I'VE BEEN DROWNING SINCE BEFORE!

NO LIFEGUARD FOR THE DAMNED!

NO WHISTLE, NO RED FLAG, NO HAND!

I SWALLOW THE DUST AND I PADDLE ALONE!

THE BEACH IS MY GRAVE AND THE TIDE IS MY THRONE!

PADDLE HARD / NO WATER / NO AIR

JUST THE SOUND OF THE SKELETON LAUGHING IN MY HAIR

I PUT ITS JAW ON MY AXE HANDLE / NOW IT SMILES WITH ME

EVERY TIME I SWING I HEAR: "FREAK, YOU'RE FINALLY FREE"

NO LIFEGUARD FOR THE DAMNED!

NO WHISTLE, NO RED FLAG, NO HAND!

I SWALLOW THE DUST AND I PADDLE ALONE!

THE BEACH IS MY GRAVE AND THE TIDE IS MY THRONE!

NO LIFEGUARD! NO LIFEGUARD! NO LIFEGUARD!

...no lifeguard...

...no lifeguard...

...no...

[single whisper:] freak.