i begged and begged for a lie
so it could keep me at the surface
i smiled and wagged my tail
and it only submerged me
i let the salt into my eyes
and the water preserved it

the depth consumed the air that i breathed
a squeeze by the darkness
and the shadow i believe
the bubbles trickled out
i heard them laughing

alone stranded
and no hand came reaching
an elaborate free-fall
this perpetuated sinking

i take my last gulp of water
see my ideas foaming
they float across the top
i see myself growing
something that will always
stay above
that is
how
i
stick
to
me.