Stasis

In your absence
I’m under deep, sea-green, brackish water.
Feet beat
time with my heart.
Everything slowed,
painful,
lungs inflating,
straining.

A murky filter slows the progress
of light
trying to reach unfathomable depths.
Unknown creatures drift by
just beyond sight.
It’s neither night
nor day
I think
I must get to the shore;
I sink.

Then suddenly,
cloudburst, sun-warmth
over my horizon.
I recognise the bold beat of your heart
inching nearer to mine;
inducing determined stasis.
I’ve forgotten how to breathe
but it’s ok;
you fill a greater need.

Sinking would be alright
after another night
with you