Humid Night

Humid night,

the kind that makes you aware that you're wearing a shirt

but wish you weren't.

Perched atop a concrete pier on the edge of a continent.

The ocean further back than it normally is during these reflective moments

yet it inches closer, ever closer

with each curl of foamy waves,

visiable only because of ambient light,

the calming glow of a crescent moon,

a single line of stars and planets above

and the bobbing spotlights of fishing boats beyond.

A nascent breeze I pretend to be cool.

Cool soothes me better.

A paper cup brimming with hot coffee

is my only companion.

I drink it despite the humidity and heat

out of habit or comfort perhaps.

Its’ caffeine destroys my headache.

The snapping and popping of fireworks go off behind me

though obscured from view.

I walked along the waters’ edge earlier,

to see if I could find a chill and contemplate the evil

that I'm told lurks and surrounds.

Thought too of who

would jump in and swim,

if they were here.

Blind to the dolphins and seals

and the things that pursue them.

And I thought for a moment

about joining the waves

in hopes of finding my soul.

Foolish perhaps.

I may still be carrying it.

Or it could be buried

a treasure amongst the rocks and mica speckled sand.

Such great fortune.

So aware of divine gifts

yet shackled by my own devices

or by an unseen but well known nemesis.

Angels surround me, of that I'm sure

but they're limits may be tested.

Their wings weary from flight.

‘Tis I who now must stand,

and fly and fight.

Hello there evil, come from the shadows

you needn’t lurk anymore

for I now know you and will defeat you

today and evermore.