8.24.2006

swimming.

you can either rush
toward the cyan surface
with all of your strength
and take a gaping lovely
mouthful of air
and light
and life

or

you can hold yourself down
until your lungs feel
as though
they'll burst in their hollow cavity
forcing your mouth wide open
to relieve the burning pain in your chest
realizing that the water you let in
is going to drown you.