bed wedged against the deep ledge of a high wide sash window propped up falling backwards against too many dark stained pillows hair in rags scalp itching so palms forward each finger bent slowly he pushes out from under the settled silt of tightly tucked sheets crawls forward nails hammering into his wrists and feet hauls himself across the deep ledge sees above reefs of drowned houses the undertow of trees black-backed gulls plunging lopsided threes spreads both arms wide leans into his own vague reflection feels the fire in his head hissing to steam
And that’s how they found him soaked cool and asleep.
Kevin Patrick McCann
Illustration Nick Victor