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