Between This World and the Next

Before the bones in my legs unhook
And release the coiled spring in them,
I will draw in and inflate my chest,
And pack everything from this world I can.

And as I pierce the membrane on the surface
I’ll bid farewell to this old realm of mine
And find the treasures of the depth,
And secrets kept from space and time.

The fish explode and all is behind,
This wonder kept behind the wall
Under the surface of shimmering gloss.
Where is Poseidon on his coral throne?

And the pearls! The pearls! They sparkle
Stars punctuated in the briny wash.
On the bottom, they spin and dance
Trading partners with seahorses and sharks.

As the dance concludes, I find I’ve packed to light,
Suspended in place I wish I could stay for the ball,
I must return like balloons to the sky,
Or else I’ll stay with them, their eternal guest.