It's Still Life

You threw the red rubber ring from your hand, and said “On five,” and you counted 1, 2, 3 and then dived in the water to retrieve it … I was still waiting for 4 and 5.

You said you won; “Male ingenuity,” so I grabbed the ring and said “On three,” threw it and counted 1, 2, and on 3 I pushed you sideways off the dock into the water as I dived into the depths and retrieved the ring – “Women count,” I laughed.

Your wife and my husband sat at a table under a large canvas umbrella, drinking cold beer, eating salt & pepper squid, and trying to keep dry from a squally storm racing through.

They told me Monday morning that you died of a heart attack. It’s my own heart aching now.

I ache for my old friend and that remote island with its near-collapsing dock … and swimming in a rainstorm.

Written for Denise’s “Six” word “remote”.  Some artwork is created using Midjourney AI, and is identified as such in the ALT text or captioned. Images are copyright and not to used without permission, which I willingly give when asked, and when not for commercial use. Imagery and poems/prose ©Misky 2006-2024.