On Rafts and Seas

While I kick and scream for oxygen
And attention from the sofa,
The carpet swirls and bristles
To devour me whole in the fabric.

The sea of fur makes waves
Around my body and I try to relax
In hopes of this flat animal
Throwing me off like a burr.

All I can see of the girl is a smile
Peering out from under
A crisp hat made from newspaper,
Neither of us can save the other.

Benjamin Nardolilli is a writer from Arlington, Virginia. His work has appeared in Perigee, The Oklahoma Review, Hawk and Handsaw, Heroin Love Songs, Quail Bell Magazine, One Ghana One Voice, The Maynard, Elimae, The Houston Literary Review and Perspectives Magazine. He maintains a blog at mirrorsponge.blogspot.com.