Echoes in the Dark

there is a moment
when the sky darkens –
when the world shifts,
and you are caught in the storm

you are thrown into the water
cold, endless, merciless
pulled under by the weight
the weight of pain
of fear
of sorrow
anchored down by it
you sink; slow and silent
finding the bottom of a black and endless ocean

there is no light
there is only the press of water on your chest
the ache in your lungs
the loneliness that echoes in the dark
you do what you must to survive
hold your breath
swallow the salt
wait for the current to change

something shifts
a word bubbles up – small and desperate
another follows
each syllable disturbing the stillness
each sound a ripple on the surface above

you rise, inch by torturous inch
every moment, every memory, every story –
they pull you closer to the light
you break the surface
gasping for air
saltwater on your tongue
iron in your veins

you are the rising tide
against an ocean that tried to drag you under
Every confession is a forceful wind —
punishing the sea
refusing to be silenced

saltwater eats away at the iron chains
chains that once anchored you at the very bottom
grief is eroded
fear is devoured
bit by bit, you rise to the surface.

every story told
every page read
each and every memory —
proof that you survived.
proof that you are strong,
proof that you will never back down.
not now
not ever
not ever again

blood may tie you to those who left you to drown
tears may fall for the life you only dreamed of
but you…
you are made of saltwater and iron
you stand
you fight
you live