drown
- em aluise
- Apr 7, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: May 3, 2023
We all loved the ocean
That’s why we are friends
I would like to still think that
We were floating
We were
The ocean’s pull got stronger
And we stayed
The ocean’s waves crashed over us
Again and again
We stayed
The seaweed wrapped around our legs
But we didn’t fight
We knew we were drowning
But at least we weren’t alone
Some of us cut free from the rope that kept us there, and swam to shore
Some of us let the boats float over us
My friends seem happy
So I stay here with them
I haven’t seen sand in so long
They tell me that dry sand is scratchy and rough
I shouldn’t want that
God, I haven’t seen sand in so long
But there we stayed
I feel the water building in my lungs
I want it to stop but the fear of being burned by the hot sand overtakes my need for freedom
Another boat passes
I scream for help
Bubbles float towards the surface
I tug on the seaweed
And try to reach for the boat
But my friends get angry
I can’t leave them
I live in the ocean
The water is made for my lungs
Which I have dressed up as gills
My beauty is my pruney fingers
My body belongs to the sea
My eyes burn
We are dying
Slowly drowning
But we are in it together
This comfort is stronger than life
I know I’m too young to die
But I don’t want to be alone
If I let myself
I could break free
What if I end up alone?
Grab onto the boat, Emma
But what if?
Have I made my peace with drowning?
Do I leave them behind?
Or shall we drown together forever…
-e.i.a
04/24/2022
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