Repentance

Immersed in muddy charcoal

Thorns pressing against my cheeks

“Don’t say another word before it gets worse”

And, as predicted, it plunges like a rock-noosed kite

Collapsing down, down, down, a fevered lake

Red moon painting the ripples

A teaspoon’s face darkening matter beyond its reach

Breaking my teeth with its acid glare

I’m on fire inside

The lower I sink, the safer it feels

Agony well-earned among the coral reefs

Maybe, fully drowned, I’ll be relieved