lifeguarding
From deep withunder riptide's grip I felt some part of me give up resigning to a frigid future far from sun-soaked surf above and shark-shaped sand dunes on the shore
"I know my death now--this is right," shame told my mind to say good night The glass coffin surrounding me - I brought its lid down heavily;
a door four fathoms deep of clarity and as much liquid moonlight
I raised the stakes and fate, she called; (I'd wagered with exceeding gall)
My error was invincibility Tempted beyond capacity by the very cautionary words whose wisdom I must now concede : Danger! Riptide! Do Not Swim! red letters carry me away.
--
As conceit of prowess and nobility carried me thus far below
I die a cautionary tale repeated to children playing jumbo chess on beach towels, but I may not be remembered fondly enough to save a life. These children do not know their own frailty.
Everything I've done in life has led me to this mistake. Never mind the life that I was trying to save. The child is nowhere I can reach him now.
Every inch of fearlessness Instilled in me by parental impulsivity and of fabric on my body will sink with me now.
I just got this swimsuit too. What a waste to die today
--
I blame nature for making me this Icarian way - not ultimately for sending her wave.
The venturing spirit which sets sails Set me to swim against the tide I did this in service of pride
Dare I struggle for surface?
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Submitted on January 13, 2021
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 1:19 min read
- 16 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | X AX X B X A C C B X X X |
---|---|
Characters | 1,401 |
Words | 263 |
Stanzas | 12 |
Stanza Lengths | 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 |
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"lifeguarding" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/60261/lifeguarding>.
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