The black slowly
leaks
in
from the
edges
from above,
starting transparently
almost like honey,
gradually becoming
thicker
more opaque
cloudy,
then
dark.
Every sound seems far away
distant
muted
as if whispered
as I start to
s
p
i
n
and my balance
wavers
trembles
then shifts entirely to one side
and I have to remind myself
to breathe
before the black
completely
overtakes me.
The sweat
follows
creeps
crawls along my skin
until it
concentrates
on my fingers
as they get hot
then cold
and wet.
They feel like they should be
sticky from the salt,
but instead, they are
smooth
like saturated
river rocks.
As I lie down,
the dampness seeps through my hair
from the top of my head.
My breaths become shallow
and
frequent
as the drops strive to cool me down
and I start to clear
just a little.
The black begins to fade back
toward the corners,
greyed colors return,
and even in the dark,
my vision becomes minimally brighter
focused.
Sounds return
crisper
enunciated
and my breaths begin to deepen
and calm.