I lie helpless on my side
eye bulging
grotesquely
body heaving
in desperate struggle
to find oxygen
mouth puffing
on a hook.
I lie for an eternity
gasping
with renewed impetus
at each bubble of surf
that teases my lips
while unrelenting waves
carry me further in
further out
scouring my underside
on the grit.

Overhead the gulls
circle
screeching as if arguing
over whose catch I am.
Finally
one breaks away from their band.
Diving clumsily
landing near my head
he follows my movement
in the surf.
In blessed relief
my under eye is scraped
away
while the upper watches
the spear of the gull's beak
as it searches
for my body's most
succulent
spot.

The spear is aimed.
My watching eye prays
to be spared
yet wanting the torture ended
begs the spear take me now.
Finding other parts
more desirable
the gull tears at my flesh
ignoring
the etiquette
of allowing death
to take
first serving.

My eye peers into
his midnight speck
of vision
and
sees itself mirrored there
and
his in mine
and
mine in his again...
souls fused
in eternity.
All the while
my flesh is ripped
and scattered.

Newly enticed
the circle of gulls return
their cries a funeral chant
raw and sepulchral.
As my gaping eye
reflects
the heavens
I watch them descend
in droves
spears ready
for the wake-feast
those awkward angels

swooping
down
for me.