Walk a mile

Drowning

Drowning
in bone-cold black waters,
strewn with soggy shreds of ambition.

Shattered,
like the jagged stained-glass window
that reflects fragments of my soul.

Resigned,
as the whipping wind weaves her unwelcome magic,
wiping away all but a faint, sand-scoured design.

Depressed,
as the stench of bloated fish-belly ripens and reeks,
insinuating itself in every pore, and flavouring every breath.

Crazy,
dancing in a deeply purpled mask to the heavy beat of manic music,
twirling, in never ending circles.

Angry,
watching dust motes dangle from vibrating talons,
battered lungs breathing in banked embers. Beware.

Determined,
eyeing up the ivy-covered wall that looms larger-than-life,
but is pockmarked with footholds.

Triumphant,
rejoicing to dance scarlet in the graveyard,
with the power of knowledge glowing in my eyes.

Free verse. Written 26 September 2015.