The treacherous waters of liberation and grief

The treacherous waters of liberation and grief

a poem in the time of genocide

i leap

into the depth of humanity

into the darkness of the Earth

into the shadows of our consciousness

turbulent

on my back is air

i look up…

a boat to return to

and so I go deeper

confidently

oxygen reads: full

plenty more love to give

plenty more fight to fight

i take a step, then breathless

empty

paralyzed

i look up, no boat

“don’t fight”

push and pull, the currents guide me

unchartered waters

untethered

messy

And yet I’m here

go up for air?

surrender?

answers used to follow questions

no more

this is a life that’s lived

not a life that’s considered