Lin Lane Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Drowning

Drowning

What is it about falling in love
that makes us an emotional mess?
Even those as innocent as a dove
are too often put to the test.

I was one who took that leap
and made real the fantasy I bore.
I fell in love, abysmally deep
with a man I did long adore.

I didn't fear the depth of my fall
from the height of an amorous cliff.
No. What frightened me most of all
was living with wondering, "What if..."

What if I'd never taken the chance
to feel the warmth of his loving arms,
or not knowing the rhythm of our dance?
Wouldn't that have done me more harm?

I lived with the joy of him, only in a blink,
sailing through life in lighthearted days.
Our ship sprung a leak and began to sink.
Yet, with my captain, I decided to stay.

I lingered, though often longed to give up,
but my mutiny would've left him alone.
His orders were cruelest when in his cups...
more painful than the break of my bone.

I lived in wait, while drowning in sorrow
'til I knew the time had come to jump ship.
I kept thinking, I'll tell him tomorrow
but those words remained frozen on my lips.

I lived for months with the shallow hope
that he'd become the man I used to know.
I held on, one hand tethered to the rope
I'd have to cut when at last I turned to go.

He's in deep waters for I could not save
the man I thought would be my destiny.
I reached out to him, trying to be brave,
but he faltered and turned away from me.

To keep from drowning, I swam ashore.
There was nothing more I could do.
My cries, louder than the ocean's roar,
for a love once cherished, now gone askew.

Trembling, I stood and as I walked away,
I turned, searching each crested wave.
I prayed he would surface again one day
before he drank himself into the grave.

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Mark Toney March 8, 2025 at 10:04 PM Lin, I appreciate your support for my Flash Poetry Callenge (11). This is a very poignant poem that many can relate to. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Lin Lane March 8, 2025 at 10:29 PM You’re welcome, Mark. Thank for liking this one. I’m happy to see your challenges are getting more attention.

Bj Legros Kelley October 12, 2023 at 9:49 PM Lin, I'm so sorry. Your poem is sad, yet a brave victory. Some are not as lucky. My mom knew a sweet devout lady, who married a man, a heavy drinker after marriage. He bid her to just 'taste' his liquor, she did, and her resolve was slowly broken, she too became an alcoholic. They both died of 'the snakes'. You are a survivor. Thank God you were strong and brave enough to get away. Love hurts something awful sometimes, but you lived to relate this heartbreaking story. God bless you, hugs!! <3 Lin Lane October 12, 2023 at 9:53 PM Hi BJ. You are so very sweet to be concerned about me and express your sentiments with such kind words. All of that tragedy happened 12 years ago. Last year, I heard from him, and he got the help I couldn't convince him he needed. We're friends again and both happy knowing we've overcome everything that happened. Thank you for your sweet comments and your hugs.

Jeff Connelly August 17, 2023 at 7:26 AM Hello Lin. When a person comments on one of my poems I go and read some theirs; and always the first poem that they've posted. This poem is truly touching; at least it touched me, for I often find myself floating in a bottle. I'm happy to see that you swam ashore. Lin Lane August 17, 2023 at 7:30 AM Hi again, Jeff. That's very considerate of you. It was a tragically emotional time for me. Fortunately, I was able to swim ashore and all is well in my world today. Thank you! He has defeated the demon that held him and is a good man today.

Harry Horsman October 29, 2022 at 11:35 PM Back to your first post on soup, Lin, so glad to be here, excellent poetry. Harry Lin Lane October 30, 2022 at 11:03 AM I’m delighted that you went all the way back to read this one. Thank you, Harry.

Mark Koplin July 27, 2020 at 5:46 AM Sad and heart wrenching. I can absolutely feel your pain as if I was there watching you. My poor dear Lin Lane October 30, 2022 at 11:01 AM Two years late but thank you, Mark.

Vladislav Raven March 23, 2020 at 9:05 PM Hi Lin, this is such a beautiful piece of poetry from your golden pen. You play the emotions so well within each line. They say that the greatest beauty can be found in sadness, reading this wonderful work, I know this to be so. Such strong visions fill the mind as the reader follows your excellent lines. Before I finish I owe you a sincere apology Lin. I am so sorry that I lost your friendship, all my fault. You are in my thoughts. Have a wonderful Tuesday. Hugs....Mike. XX Lin Lane November 27, 2023 at 3:05 AM Friendship was t lost… it just drifted.

James Inman March 11, 2017 at 9:50 AM A difficult first post Lin. A beautifully written poem. Lin Lane November 27, 2023 at 3:06 AM Thank you very much, James.

Freddie Robinson Jr. October 17, 2016 at 12:58 AM A powerfully strong poem, Lin. And like all the memorable poems, yours had a great crescendo ending. Well done, madame artiste. Love your work. Stay blessed. Much love and respect. Lin Lane November 27, 2023 at 3:07 AM Thank you, Freddie.

Sandra Haight December 17, 2015 at 8:47 PM Lin, congratulations on your 1st Place win! Hugs, Sandra Lin Lane November 27, 2023 at 3:07 AM Thank you, Sandra.

Skat A December 17, 2015 at 3:38 PM LIN, Congrats on your old best poem. HUGS **SKAT** Lin Lane November 27, 2023 at 3:08 AM Thanks.

Michael Tor December 17, 2015 at 1:53 PM Wow Lin this was awesome and heartfelt. Congratulations on your first place win!! Lin Lane November 27, 2023 at 3:04 AM Thank you, Michael.

Paul Callus October 12, 2015 at 5:39 PM Having already read your "Stranger" poem I can understand this one even better. A lovely poem, though sad in content. You did all you could; fighting a lost battle would have brought more sorrow. ~ All the best. // paul Lin Lane October 12, 2015 at 6:08 PM Thank you, Paul. It was a very difficult decision to make, but a broken hand was more of a price than I was willing to pay. I'm sorry I waited until that happened, but elated that I was able to open the cage door and fly away. I really appreciate your kind words. ~ Lin ~

Robert Lindley October 9, 2015 at 3:38 PM I find this deep in its meaning and a thought provoking write. Sometimes we try to save those destined to never be saved. I know that tragic truth from real life--my first ex-wife. Great poetry. A7 Lin Lane October 9, 2015 at 4:40 PM Hi Robert. Thanks for sharing your information. It's not always easy divulge the problems we've faced, but writing helps us to cleanse some of our wounds. ~~ I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the 7!

Poet Destroyer A October 5, 2015 at 5:20 PM Lin Lane, This is my warm welcome to you, WELCOME to poetry soup. I hope you have fun with this wonderful community. You'll find many friendly poets who are ready to support and give positive feedback. I will enjoy following you and your poetry :) We are Lucky To Have you. Enjoy Poetry Soup:) Your New Poet Friend @-> LINDA <-@ Lin Lane October 5, 2015 at 5:43 PM Merci beaucoup, Linda. Getting positive feedback is very encouraging and I look forward to making more friends here. Thanks for being one of mine.

Anne-Lise Andresen October 5, 2015 at 3:23 AM - A friendly welcome with your first great poem here on Poetry Soup - Hope there will be many ... many more in the future :) - I wish you good luck, Lin :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Lin Lane October 5, 2015 at 7:06 AM Hi, Anne Lise. Thank you for the welcome, the compliment, and the hugs. I look forward to getting to know many of you, and your encouragement is appreciated.

Skat A October 3, 2015 at 11:54 PM Lin, Welcome to Poetry Soup. It will be a delight to read and become familiar with your poems in the future. As for now, I will greet you with the same smile others passed when I first joined the soup. Wishing you and your poetry the best. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here STARTING with me- SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you wish. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND" Hugs* SKAT" Lin Lane October 4, 2015 at 7:46 AM Hello and thanks for the warm welcome, Skat. I appreciate the smile and the hugs. A little about me: I've lived my entire life in New Orleans, except for 4 years in Colorado. I've retired and now enjoy painting and making jewelry. I've 2 children; one of each gender. And although my 15 month old grandson lives in Orlando, he's "the man" in my life. I'd like to hear about you now.

Rehnesha Santos October 3, 2015 at 7:56 PM That was a beautiful poem. I really loved it! Lin Lane October 4, 2015 at 7:40 AM Thank you very much, Rehnesha. Those words are very inspiring.

Adri Dew October 3, 2015 at 2:14 PM He's in deep waters for I could not save The man I thought was my destiny. I reached out to him, trying to be brave, But he faltered and turned away from me. Lovely these lines... Loved your poem A-7! Lin Lane October 3, 2015 at 2:54 PM Thank you for your compliment. Feeling helpless when a loved one refuses help is a sorrowful emotion. Reading the first part of your comment gave me goose bumps.

CayCay Godwin October 3, 2015 at 11:26 AM This is beautiful with deep emotion and I have a feeling it was a therapy write for you. I feel that because I've been there and done this. Good luck to you. Your poem really is beautiful ... CayCay (oh, I think you made one typo "No, what I feared the most of all" - did you mean to type 'the?') Again, I enjoyed your write, therapy or not Lin Lane October 3, 2015 at 2:56 PM Thank you for reading my poem. Yes, this one and many more were a way in which to express what I could not vocalize to anyone. I'll post some later that are more of fun-themed outlook. Life is good now. Yes, I DID mean to type 'the.' It helped the flow of rhyme when recited out loud.