My relation with her
inhabits a silent space,

you don't need to talk much
below the ocean's surface,

it's like a rest after your work is done
an earned breather after a long run.

Now it's holding hands and swimming together
having seen all the weather.

And when it is over
and finally the last of the ashes
float into the sea
the sky clears
blue concave lens
through which I cannot see
here I will breathe
as if underwater
oxygenated flow over gills
I don't need to understand
bathed
of muddy ash
supplied with what I need

I think these things
   as prayers....

  grey flecks
        swirling down
            around me