Deep Dive

Straying far from shore

has never been my style,

I crave the stability of my feet touching the ground.

Although I often choose to float gracefully as the clouds pass by.

Then came the instant when I pondered going deeper

although I resisted,

all urge to go from a depth that required assistance.

I plunged, from that very depth which I had long been accostumed to.

No tanks, nor appendage that were not my own,

except for the googles which revealed my course.

One deep breath, I slowly descended.

Water subtly pushing on my lungs as I continued to submerge.

I closed my eyes, counted to ten and let myself wade gently down.

In the distance I saw a small glimmer and followed the unknown course.

Beneath the surface, a tunnel  that I carefully allowed myself to follow along.

My body gently slid through, to the right, a bit to the left, further down I went.

Into the light an immense opening emerged

and I found myself again, amongst the earth

lush, unencumbered, free of its own.

I'd believed that  I'd found paradise

lest I forget that one island from my past

Damp cold cavernous, shivered me to the bone

as I longed to be, once more in the sun's warm embrace

Again,  shutting out life and love, my eyes I close again

deep breaths, 1, 2, 3...  4, 5, 6, 7...I shall return to me.

And from the depths I ascend

farther off shore than I'd ever been 

in the distance, the island I now see

and I gently glide back to the bank, gracious beloved sand

Earth that cradles me so, and faithfully carries me on.