Words In The Water

Standing knee deep in cold water

Swiftly moving, somehow

I knew I'd lost something

Wading waist deep I saw a book there in the river

Waiting for me to find it there

I tried to read it, neck deep, treading water

But the tide, it pulled me out to sea

Then, with water in my eyes

The words began to rise from their place

They were beautiful and dread

I reached for them and fed on each phrase

They were honey on my lips

But then a bitter twist in my side

I knew they'd lay me in my grave

Is there no one who can save me? I cried

Sinking, down deep through cold water and heavy silence

Shadows stirring in the gloom

What things that lay sleeping down deep in the darkness woke then

To find me in that tomb?

And when I lost all hope to look

Someone took that heavy book

From my hands, all its weight they set aside

After they had satisfied its demands

I felt white and black reverse

And the lifting a curse from my heart

Then like one receiving sight

I beheld a brilliant light in the dark