a face slips below the water

and everything fades away

pale lights illuminate tranquil waters

and reality floats down the drain

   with leaves and a drowned bee

concrete floors blend into alabaster marble

a metal fence shimmers into porcelain columns

striped chairs form ivory thrones

palm trees arching overhead, towering corinthians

   a palace of the mind

street lights shine golden as the sun

drifting away into citrine stars

amethyst eyes staring at the surface

lavender bubbles gliding up and away

   gravity has no place here

cobalt flowers and honey breaths

azure clouds and cider eyes

the water painted sapphire

streaks of tangerine through the dark

   thoughts left adrift

but oh-

with a splash and a deafening shatter

pulled back to the surface

dripping jade and watermelon onto stained concrete

forced back to reality

   to the sound of laughter and joy

(kawaakari- [n.] the glow of the river at dusk)