Still. It was too still.

I threw a rock in the water but there were no ripples

as it frolicked along the watery melancholy.

I screamed but there was no echo that shot fright into fleeing birds. I kicked but there were no splashes. I tried to jump but I did not sink.

I pleaded for thundering waves that took the shore by its neck. For the smell of sea salt that burned my throat. For the sky to drape its ominous curtains and make way for the brewing storm. For the tears of clouds to rain like hail as they lament for this pain with a blunt tip.

But there was only silence and a horrible calm. The water remained still.