Thirsty Again

Kendall Krantz

I. Stage One: Narcissus

I slowly wake, bleary-eyed then lucid,
and grow hungry at the sight of myself.
I lunged, ravenous, towards those supple limbs–
just to break the surface and plunge below.
I don’t remember where the flowers grew.

II. Stage Two: Tantalus

I try to just stand still, but my limbs shake
with longing for what I cannot quite reach.
As above, so below - untouchable
sweetness I can see and smell like a dog
banished from man’s table to the cold tile.

III. Stage Three: Charybdis

When finally, I may have a small taste,
what crosses my lips will dry Messina.
Fish gasp for breath, so I will eat them, too,
eviscerating all that was settled,
leaving the water quiet once again.

IV. Stage Four: Dionysis

But even then, I am not satisfied.
I stay awake for days and nights, searching
for the drink to quench an unending thirst.
I leave the waters dry, bottles empty
and nod off into gold eternity.

V. Stage Five: Myself

Today, I awaken, once again parched,
blinded by the morning light streaming in.
I yawn, stretch, and remind myself to breathe.
My abdomen is bloated with the sea,
so I roll over and sleep until night.

ABOUT THE POET

Kendall Krantz is a writer and illustrator stationed in Brooklyn, NY. Further work is available on goodkenergy.com and @goodkenergy on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram.