Ruby Kelly Poet Free verse

The Bends

Diving deep underwater, mask on
To hide your face, conceal your oxygen.
You go deeper and deeper, not realizing
How deep you’re going.
Eventually, you come face to face with a marlin,
But you see them as a carp.
You can’t tell the difference between 
A carp and a marlin.
You don’t see the marlin, rare as he is,
And you mistake him for a carp.
Well, this carp has a hook.
A hook that will
Plunge its way through your heart,
Your soul, and your mind, and will
Take everything out with it and swim
As far away from you as possible after.
But you don’t even realize it, because
You’re not a fisherman.
You can’t tell the difference between
A carp and a marlin.
And that will be your downfall.

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John Gondolf July 28, 2021 at 8:18 AM Ruby, I enjoyed the subtle metaphor in this piece. Nicely done. John

Quoth Theraven June 26, 2021 at 3:12 PM Ruby, Feelin' pins and needles just reading your poem called 'The Bends'. Though sure enjoyed from the rippled surface, your hyperbaric write. -Richard

Nancy Kaufman June 26, 2021 at 9:34 AM Hello Ruby, I really like your metaphors also. Welcome to the soup. There's some excellent poets who are also wonderfully supportive. Have a great day.

Darlene De Beaulieu June 5, 2021 at 7:30 AM Hello Ruby Kelly, You know what ?I can tell the difference between the two either. Enjoy yur day my friend. Darlene De Beaulieu June 5, 2021 at 7:30 AM Welcome to Poetry Soup. Enjoy your day my friend.

Victor Buhagiar June 4, 2021 at 5:36 AM Loved this poem and shows that diving deep is a dangerous thing.

David Kavanagh June 2, 2021 at 4:06 PM Heya Ruby, sorry for carping on, but as Carp are freshwater fish and marlin salt water, they probably never meet, I’m thinking this is a metaphoric write about certain dangerous people, and how deep we can get involved before discovering their true colours, A great enjoyable write, cheers David Ruby Kelly June 2, 2021 at 8:25 PM Yes, David, that was actually the point that I had in mind while writing! The diver doesn't recognize the marlin and perceives it to be a carp when in reality it could never have been a carp as it could never be found in the ocean. It showcases the main character's ignorance toward the metaphorical "marlin". Thank you for the compliment, regardless! - Ruby.

Gershon Wolf June 1, 2021 at 6:11 PM Intriguing write, Ruby. Keep writing!! ~ Gershon Ruby Kelly June 2, 2021 at 1:41 PM Thank you so much, Gershon! Love your work, as well! - Ruby.

Demetrios Trifiatis June 1, 2021 at 1:30 PM Amusing when one reads it out of the water, horrifying when someone experiences it under the water. I am lucky...I just read this fine and exhilarating poem, dearest Ruby. Blessings. Ruby Kelly June 1, 2021 at 1:52 PM Haha, thank you, Demetrios! - Ruby.

L Milton Hankins June 1, 2021 at 12:18 PM Fine writing, Ruby. I don't dive, but I'm sure the deeps are treacherous. Ruby Kelly June 1, 2021 at 1:51 PM hahahah I don't dive either, but it sure is a great subject for a poem! - Ruby.

Rico Leffanta June 1, 2021 at 11:39 AM Yet our government spends more on the military than any other nation and less on education! Take your congressional representatives on your next dive! Ruby Kelly June 2, 2021 at 1:41 PM True as ever, Rico! Thanks for reading! -Ruby.

Georgia Lackely June 1, 2021 at 11:09 AM ohhh marlin...ive watched finding nemo!!!!!!! Ruby Kelly June 1, 2021 at 11:13 AM Yes, Georgia, Finding Nemo is a great movie.