my mind is falling
through the tumbling/turbulent water.
It swirls and swings until,
hitting the riverbed,
it begins to settle,
away from the storm above.
My thoughts begin to clear
and I find peace.

my heart breaks
and I give away the pieces
wrapped in ink

when the darkness comes
acknowledge it but do not live in it.
The night will pass.

I feel the undertow pulling at me
and I must swim,
I must feel.
The pain is an old acquaintance:
we are not in love.
The water flows over my skin
and I feel isolated and the touch of panic.
I swim on: fighting, experiencing;
and the water flows over my skin.
I am alive.