"I'm lost." I say, tongue heavy. feet wet. "you're lost?" a question. open eyes. closed hands. "I'm lost." an answer. "my name." I say, hands opening. a mistake. "myself." the lines of my form are taken in to account. a burning sun on dry skin, a glistening eye in an empty face, a thought of longing in an empty mind. "you're lost." a challenge. arms spread. menace, teeth, bigger, badder, predatorial displays of power. a weaker person. wooden splinters in an aging bridge. volcanic ash. I can't speak, my name is taken. my face. stone under water, washing away. "you're lost." closed hands. "I'm lost." acceptance.