my mind snapped
with attention rapt
staring out into the world

i'd hoped for the best
devoid of sweet rest,
despite being fetally-curled

where was the shore?
or the thirteenth floor?
they were absent in life & in dream

i searched all about,
calling names out, 
but all I heard was a burbling stream

but with no water -
just someone's dear daughter
wading out on bone-bleached rocks

she seemed to know all
like how we all fall,
and who keeps the keys to the locks

but I was tied down
screaming at clowns,
too far gone to see her wind-blown hair

what pulled me out?
not a shake or a shout,
but some stuttered nonsense of prayer