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ZiN Daily

Catalina Florina Florescu


Image: Unsplash, downloaded (https://unsplash.com/photos/body-of-water-CQC9rkpgC9g) 21.7.2024.



Sipping Water While Drowning



You let me slip through your fingers... I am water, I know that, but you did not even make an effort to join your hands together, to hold me for a bit. I feel…hm... I feel… I lost that feeling actually. Humans have clocks… humans can’t be asked to love and love and love, and… get nothing in return. What I remember:


It was a sunny day. 

You entered your car.

You were in the driver’s seat. 

You did not start driving but checked for something.

“Do you need your keys?” I asked.

You jingled them in front of my eyes. 

“Then…?”

“Are you in a hurry?”

“Aren’t you?”

You did not say a word. You put your hands on that steering wheel, holding it as if you did not want to lose that, and not me. I saw how your face was transforming, but I did not want to say a word either. I followed in the footsteps of your silence. And then: 


You kissed me. 

Our bodies were morphing into one. After which:


You pulled hard that steering wheel. I heard a clunk. The car started to go down and down and down. We were drowning. You laughed. I asked:


“Why did you do that?”

“I can’t let you go.”

“But we both agreed to separate.” 

“I need to feel your water: all around and inside of me.” 


A fish stopped by my car window. It tapped on it gently. I looked at you. You were gone. I knew I was sinking, yet the water was so velvety and caring, then I finally let you go. 



About the Author: Catalina Florina Florescu is a Romanian born, American scholar with a PhD in Comparative Literature conferred by Purdue University, who is the author of 12 books and who teaches at Pace University and at Stevens Institute. http://www.catalinaflorescu.com/ 


 

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