I can't breathe. An invisible hand rests on my shoulders Bearing down with a weight beyond my ken And keeps my head under water. At the bottom of a waterfall's pool I sit Caught in the embrace of the great cataract. This bed was made of my own choosing Flinging myself with abandon off the cliff's edge To enjoy the moments of breathless exhilaration The beautiful abandon in the weightless fall. The entry, difficult, but not impossible: Reaching hands parting the ice-cold waters So the body can slice through Like a hot knife into butter. The first moments, not unbearable: Tumbled down to the bottom by the churning waters But bolstered by two lungs bursting with life-giving air. As time slowly ticks on, second by agonizing second Pinned by the embrace of the waterfall and losing oxygen The need to breathe arises. Pressure builds within the body, as if to compete With the weight of the waterfall Growing greater with each passing moment Threatening to force the breath The body so desperately desires As conscious and subconscious lock in furious battle Over control of the lungs. The conscious fights on, Aware that I am still trapped at the bottom. One voice alone can cut through the turgid waters A lifeline to cling to and use To drag myself up, hand over hand Fighting against the pressure until my head breaks the surface And I can draw a few gasping breaths Before the line is severed And I am pummeled to the bottom once more. The waiting game resumes Each time unsure of survival And each time mustering the will to hold on Until that precious lifeline appears Hoping for the day The line will knife through the water one final time Anchored securely, no longer doomed to separation And I can climb forth Leaving the waterfall's pool Far behind.