A Poet's Bleeding Heart🖤📜🪶

The River

I have always loved to swim. 

The water whispers to me, propeling my steps one after another toward its sparkling bank.  

It asks me to sink my toes into the cool pool, to let the water lap at my heels. 

I have always loved to swim. 

Though, as an old soul I'm no longer a match for the rip tide of the roaring rapids. Brutish and swift, an engulfing and relentless wave after wave. Pounding water into your lungs with punishing pain. You swallow, but only to gasp for air, taking it in like tiny blades. 

I have always loved to swim. 

I think, perhaps, you'll find me languidly afloat. A place you aren't asked to kick and scream and choke. You're only asked to float. Head tipped back, half submerged as the sweetly swirling currents  weave through every saturated curl. You close your eyes and let the sun seep into your soul. You don't have to see anymore. You're being carried away, all you are asked to do? 

Simply,

float. 

So, I think I shall. 

I have always loved to swim. 

I think the rapids love to play. 

But learning to exhale in the flow of the low and slow? 

Now that's where the deeper currents seem to go.

You could nearly part your lips for the water, so to slowly drink your fill. You feel it dampen and douse that burning firey will. You allow it to seep deep into that seceret burning well. 

I have always loved to swim. 

I believe I could be one with the water. Little by little I could learn to open up, swallowing a bit more by every sip and gulp.

I think I'd hold it there if only for just a spell. To savor the taste of freedom on my tongue. A reverant "yes" down my throat as I  swallow every one.

Until the water then pulls me under. Until half submerged becomes a half measure. And then it's time to fully surrender.

I think I could open my eyes under that crystal clear essence, just to watch the last few bubbles bobbling to the surface. 

I don't think I shall miss them, as I find I don't even need them here. I don't have to fight to breathe or flail.

I'm simply held by that pressure, a steady grip that won't fail.

I have always loved to swim. 

I guess soon I'll pay the toll.

It's just a matter of time

before The River 

swallows me

whole.