Grasping for an escape!
Looking for a reach
Either submerge to the deep,
Or flail to the surface.
Can't breath!

That colorful reef,
Schools of fish,
Who can offer a pull,
Or a resting place?
How can I approach
The far away surface?

Kick with the feet
Pull with the hands,
Something gotta work!

The lungs already strained!
The last of the air mistakenly
Blown in bubbles.

How could I dive so deep?
My own body
My worst enemy!
My mind offers no help.
It is all instinct!

The pressure on the ears.
Blurred vision,
Chest compressed!
That salty water
Trickling down,
Inside the nose.
Not matter how loud the shout,
No one can hear!

The acceptance
Of a fate.
Beautiful memories summoned,
For, it is the end.
The struggle reduced.
And there I float,
'Middle of the way.

The convulsions will come,
Looking for the oxygen
I denied myself.
How could I think I could come uninvited
To this submerged world?

And, so, I let go.
And the deep looked far.
The accomplishment
Never had.
And slowly I go up.

It was a last attempt,
Mind clear
Body trained,
With movements
Now adaptated to the world around.
Water is a conduit,
To what knows how to flow.

The surface near,
Inviting the warmth when it appeared.
Just a few more strokes!

The air fills my lungs!
Coughs, clear the pipes!
The surface: my crib!

The tiredness now gone.
Scorched skin under the sun!
I need to reach that deep,
And so I fill my lungs.

And deep I go again.

© LD Nascimento