it's mine

Faucet on red and the air is thick with steam and sorrow.
She’s caught in that place I know so well,
The room where the water is splashing the ceiling.
It rises and the only choice becomes: sink or swallow.
(swim)
Fighting the immersion leaves her feeling like the smallest child
Chasing the sinking sun down twilight’s shore
Don’t come, Night. You’re an unwelcome substitute for the brightness of day.
So much undone, unseen, unspoken for.
Still, without apology, it sinks in and offends the gold and soon, there is only blue.
All shadow, all void, the great deep.
(swim)
From the other side of the curtain, the room, the sea
I call to her. How’d you get there? That unlit place- it’s mine.
It’s marked on my map
“Misery” and also, “Release.”
But look around a little, don’t be afraid. There’s treasure,
I’ve left some behind.
The edges are sharp, so be vigilant and thorough. But quick!
(swim)
A longer stay tempts her, the water is warming
And it doesn’t burn her lungs. But I know the dangers in finding comfort there,
And the tranquility of what comes next.
“No,” I scream it loud and it ripples around her,
The tiniest glimmer demands her gaze, it’s far. It’s passing.
“It’s time!”
SWIM.