calfia’s daughter
by Devorah Major
from “calfia’s daughter” Aquarius Press/Willow Press June 2020
almost drowning
1.
in the midst of it all
i know i must come up
for air or quickly
learn to breathe
under water
2.
cresting ocean
above my head
i hold back the gasp
and open my mouth
deeply swallow air
in one huge gulp
before descending again
into the salted waters
to shoot up once more
towards the sun
unfold
absorb
lay back
inhale
before again
descending
3.
i dive
lower
than i can imagine
looking above i see
a glimmer reflecting
below the ocean’s
choppy surface
i cut the waves
break through
for a moment
breathe
as i let the waves
return me to the shore