SINK OR SWIM

The lights are low

aligned with thoughts

of swimming free,

a simple fish

swimming toward light,

suddenly caught

now distraught;

facing a tightening thread.

lifted alight and set right

on the trawler’s deck,

only to face slaughter.

Low thoughts, indeed,

in an ocean of democraseas.

“if onlys” abound

as I flutter and flounder

and flap atop the heap

of fish so like me.

Unsure of success

I push fear aside

propelling my self

over the side,

carried away on the tide

of endless seas of hope.

I am free!