Pride 3

I thought I was
A swimmer
but no one has
the true measure
of their own
abilities
until they are
immersed
submerged
I dove in
kicked off
the deep breath still
in my chest
I felt the wall of water so
comforting
my heart pounding
changing me
filling me
my screams deadened
by the silent vast space
but once the sound escaped, it was already
much, much too late
I had to take it in again
take it back
cover the sound
open my lungs
and drown.