The river plays a lilting requiem
only I can hear
as I gaze up through its opalescent waters
to the bright flickerings of the day.

Tiny fish flit past,
their silver skitterings enchanting.
Smooth scales graze my outstretched fingertips
and kiss my bluish cheeks
as I sink further into cobalt dark.

My lungs scorch in airless pain,
a panicked fire in icy waters
but soon enough the river paints me
with the cool acceptance of fate.

I rest now in aqueous mud
my hair tangled in green weeds and bones,
limbs tingling out
the last of my conscious thoughts
as slowly, quietly, dreamily
I am gone.