Underwater

I am Jonah in the belly of Leviathan

living only when the beast surfaces,

exchanging liquid grief, heavy air

for the unwanted gasps of new life.

I pray out of this belly for gills

and only the ocean hears my voice,

It deepens and encompasses me,

its waves billowing me in absolution.

The beast vomits me out to her caress,

a body of weeds penetrating to my soul.

I dream of sinking, my thoughts fainting,

lungs releasing their corruption.

I relax and the waters reject me.

It refuses me gills knowing

that land creatures were meant

to see only mountains and sky.