I’m swimming in the
Darkness of your undertow
And I can’t escape the
Pull of your gravity.

People ask how it
Feels existing in
Someone else’s
Shadow. It’s cold

And wet down
Here in the hole
Of a heart beating
To another rhythm.

Can’t come up for
Air, just get dragged
Back down to that
Immutable darkness

Where I spend the
Best hours of my
Days, the best years
Of my short life.

You just drag me
Along, another shadow
Cast out behind
You, luring others

Towards a sad,
Lonely little existence.
The trick is to stop
Kicking and smile.