I thought that it was deeper,

the real thing,

but this must be

an illusion.

I swam with the shoals

as a child.

This, I can’t even wade in.

Someone has replaced

the endless space

with a picture

of the bottom,

and made my deepest fears

two-dimensional.

Taking away the abyss,

took away my terror.

Taking away the sky,

took away my wings.

Now,

I only hope to die,

cold and isolated.

In between

two plastic screens,

like a specimen for study.

I remember it was higher.

I remember it was deeper.

I remember being afraid,

But I don’t remember

how I learned to get over it.

 

HG – 2019