Drowning

Floating
In the cool water
Of our lake,
On this scorching afternoon,
I am drowning.

Drowning in memories
Of a night not long ago
At this very lake.
My heart weeps
But my eyes remain dry.

Slowly my head lowers
Until I am fully submerged
And I scream
Letting out every bubble.
Then, I sink.

Quickly,
Like a rock,
Until I hit the bottom.
Gritty sand,
And slimy weeds.

My lungs burn
Begging for air
My eyes open to
Murky water
And a biting sting.

I look up.
The sun shining on the surface
Is far away
Just, as it seems,
Is all hope.

And yet something,
Maybe a need to live
Or maybe a determination
To prove myself wrong,
Makes me try.

I push off
My movements slow,
Weak from lack of air.
The whole time
My eyes watch the light.

Suddenly,
I break the surface
Gulping in sweet oxygen.
Maybe, just maybe,
I can find hope, too.