and i'll paint you a Navy Blue

Meridian came back today.
not sure if it was the rain, or the way the sky greyed all over.
in any case, he asked me questions. startled me like always.
he knows how to rattle a tail or two, shakes and shivers.
it's his way.
today though, he's distant, voice is weak. not like before.
now he can barely speak above a whisper. it's a good thing.
but he's speaking even so.
and he has that stare.
sometimes it seems like the stormy shores are back, but it's tricky.
and i haven't seen my captain in such a long long time.
when he goes out to sea, he always takes a while. he'll be back though.
here's hoping.