Alone in shallow consciousness
I’m drowning
Only Life accompanies me,
Shoving my head under so I
Can’t breathe.
No one needs you, Life tells me.
You are useless, truly.
Perhaps I could serve a purpose as
A martyr
A girl cruelly murdered by Life.

Someone joins me-
Let me save you.
But by now I crave the liquid in my lungs
So I go wallow myself in tangled waters.

__________________________________

It’s not when others join me but
When I come to my feet
And ease into their company myself
That Life backs off,
Seeing me as a viable contender in our battle.
I think I scared Life a bit, because
Now it gives me little gifts
To pacify this fighter.

Life seduces me with whispered words,
I always knew you were worth it.
Go out into the world and prosper.
I know; that’s why I rose again-
To fulfill the uses I’ve always had.
Others need me,
Depend upon
Me and all I can do.
By my own efforts I cleanse my lungs
With crisp, refreshing air and
Leave my swimming days behind.

__________________________________

It’s hard to pull someone free
From a tight embrace with Life
As it pulls her under,
Cooing through its teeth
The same words it told me:
You are useless, truly.
I call her name, show her the sky
But she dances on with Death.
Until she twirls all on her own,
She won’t let go of darkness.
Now it’s I who feels again
Like I have no use.