Dont Drink the Water

Ascending from the depths 
Of my personal sea of sorrow, 
I feel the pressure in my body easing 
As I get nearer to the surface, 
The abyss no longer a blinding darkness

My lungs struggle to hold in the screams 
That will surely deplete the last breath of life 
Left within my ravaged body

How close I came to succumbing to the wet blackness
How easy to just slip into the depths
And let the weight of my regrets 
Carry me straight to the bottom
Ready to trade my last breath
For a cold refreshing drink of death 

I somehow retained enough sanity
“Or maybe it was the just instinct”
To use my last ounce of energy and will 
To push off of the murky bottom 
And try to return to the surface 
Where hopefully life will be waiting

As I slowly raise towards salvation
I fight to stay calm as my heart pounds
And my mind races
Fighting the urge to flail frantically 
Towards the surface
Where I can feel the sun 
As it dries my waterlogged soul

Where I can exhale the stale and dead air within me
And inhale the sweet freshness
Of a new life
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace