Sinking

by Sadko

sinking
around me, salt. 
all around me, water. 
a sharp intake of breath. in. what about out?
now a few bubbles escape your mouth
and you gasp, water filling your nostrils
and arms flailing. what are you, sinking?
what are you, dying?
around me, salt. 
all around me, calm. 
eyes are wide. wide as a wingspan, pupils
small and meaningless. your head turns, 
and you see a school swim past you. one
fish swats its fin. what are you, sinking? 
what are you dying?
the pressure
	        - the pressure, and the
	       salt, and the water, and
	         the water is ice and 
		the salt and the nothing
	          and nothing is left, black
                     is left, salt is left, calm.