The Drowning

i wonder –

if a ship sank,

would the drowning

seek rescue from the drowning

oblivious of the other’s peril

aware only of their own?

what dread.

we swim the dark depths

grasping the other –

the dead looking to the dead

for life

what dread.

there is a high hope

sailing in our midst

casting rings of life

but we seek salvation

on brethren’s sinking shoulders

pushing them down to darkness

cold, airless, black weight

and the night is filled with echoes

the drowning cursing the drowning

for failing them

while grace walks on the water

what dread.

Harnessing Chaos