surfacing

at times
even I
must come up
for air

those who have heard me read
or have slept with me
or know my life
might be surprised

but it's true

I always
try to come up
where it's safe

away from crocodiles
boat propellers
or eyewitness news teams

unfortunately
every now and then
I make a mistake

perhaps my timing is off
from waiting too long

under

my O2 too low
my CO2 too high
or nitrogen bubbles
burst in my brain
rupturing capillaries

how else could I have been so wrong

again

I rose slowly to surface
in a place made safe
(surely)
if not by nature
then by convention

and
WHACK!
I was hit full force
by paddles
in waters
I thought friendly

more acclimated to being under
I am back down
with a promise
to be more cautious
next time