Refuge

I find myself in the middle of an ocean
Lighting, rain and waves crashing
No land in sight
No refuge in sight
No beacon to point me home
I struggle to stay afloat
The water so cold and black
How did I get here?
Where do I go?
What can I do?
Frantically I search
I look all around
But there’s nowhere to turn
I shout with all I have
But there’s no one to hear
The storm is relentless
The waves continue to roll and splash
Trying to shove me under
I can taste the saltiness of the water
As a wave catches me
Slaps me in the face
The water burning my eyes
Blurring my vision
Making me panic
Making me want to fight harder
To keep my head above water
But my legs are growing weary
My arms are starting to tire out
My feet are like cement 
My breath ragged and fatigued
As the rain beats down
I cry out again in desperation
As I start to sink
Down to a watery grave
Into the depths below
The water so icy and wet
In my mouth
Down my throat
Burning in my lungs
Fully submerged now
I look up at the surface
And I see hope
I see refuge
I see a hand
Reaching down to me
Tightly grasping me
Pulling me against the force
That’s pulling me under
My head breaks the surface
My eyes open wide
As I gulp in the air
Pulled free and rescued
Not a moment too soon
Not a moment too late
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
April 10, 2012 at 6:15 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved placement in Gautami's contest Shauna. Love, Carol
Dietrich Avatar
April 6, 2012 at 6:28 PM
GREAT description of near death by drowning. I really liked this. Congrats on your win.
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
April 6, 2012 at 5:04 AM
Congratulations Shauna on your win xx
Sweetheart Avatar
April 6, 2012 at 1:40 AM
congrats Shauna on a wonderful write and super win for a grand entry luv.. happy easteer blessings too..
Phookan Avatar
April 5, 2012 at 4:23 PM
Excellent creative work, loved it! Many Congratulations on your win and thank you so much for supporting my contest. love, gautami
Dietrich Avatar
March 18, 2011 at 9:14 AM
I'm glad I was finally looking thru this list so I could find this poem of yours, Constance. This is quite a vivid portrayal of someone nearly dying. You are such a descriptive writer!
Devonshire Avatar
March 17, 2011 at 7:51 AM
I'm so glad that hand was extended to save you. A powerful write! Congratulations on your success in the contest. Love, Carolyn
Brown Avatar
March 17, 2011 at 7:36 AM
Congratulations on your win in the "Maverick Free Verse" contest sponsored by John Moses Freeman. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
March 16, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Congrats on your fantastic win in the Maverick Free Verse contest with this exciting entry luv.. enjoy your sweet success...
Mehta Avatar
March 16, 2011 at 6:29 PM
Congratulations on the win in the contest of John, RRR
Freeman Avatar
March 16, 2011 at 6:26 PM
So great to see you in the winning circle A Rambling. Congratulations on your worthy poem's success. Agape, Moses
Mister Roboto Avatar
March 5, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Wonderful poem which can be interpreted to mean so many differnt things.
Pettit Avatar
February 22, 2011 at 6:13 PM
In rather simple words, you have placed the reader in a scary vicarious situation. Because of your shorter lines, this was not laborous to read. Impressive entry.
Loving Iii Avatar
February 21, 2011 at 5:58 PM
what an exciting narrative. jhl
Maverick Avatar
February 17, 2011 at 11:26 AM
have read this piece, keep looking for the inspiration, i think although you are hitting some good lines you need to be more concise, i look forward to hearing more from you.
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