He lies prone under the sun

Its heat searing his skin with a patience and dedication that amazes him

A wool blanket covers him but he feels the cold of his past chilling him

Emotions burn through him from the inside out

He wants so badly to be on the beach, any beach, but is here instead dreaming of the security of a hotel room, the coolness of a hot bath, a bar of soap ...

Alone but surrounded by everyone he has ever met, ever known, ever wanted to know tomorrow

He is aware of rock cutting into his back, of hawks flying overhead, of every mistake he or his parents or their parents have ever made

Time is molasses, space is vaster than vast, the wind -- a cleansing brush against his skin -- cools his blood

Far away, I understand