Who or what do you cling to

after bottom’s fractured and you weightless

somewhere sinking

you’re in too deep

drowning drowning going down

do you flail take on dank waters in staccato swallows

have you made ready key and timbre of

your Desperation Shout

And who in this wilderness will hear?

What foolish imp inside convinced you

land stumbler you could swim against

this ten thousand years determined and sinister tide

Did you read it somewhere?

Who was the sage who counselled

never skip introductions or footnotes

never accept half promises or a one way ride

never look behind

you know what’s buried there

raise a hand

give yes open flutter up receive

Water bearer water sign no warranty

dreamy titles won’t help you here:

you select flounder swim

speak or drown.