Descent, Then Light
For the Light Breaks Water Challenge
Drowning in a lonely sea,
yielding to its power and
all-consuming thirst for sacrifice,
you feel your limbs
buckle and soften
as you fight the waves
to stay above the surface.
-
The air pockets
emerging from your mouth
lessen with every metre
you sink to the bottom.
-
Hope is an impossible dream
as your lungs collapse, and
you fall through the silent still.
-
-
-
As your eyes begin to close,
a bright light hits your face,
reflected from the surface.
-
Light gives life beneath the waves,
revealing the serene world below.
Translucence comes like sunlight—
slow and late, yes, but certain.
-
Thoughts crystallise like sodium bubbles
left behind by the rolling tide.
With steady progression, understanding—
so too do reflection, growth, and
meditation brings clarity, sparkling
and shimmering like the light
dancing on the waves.
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: This is my second entry, so far, for the Light Breaks Water Challenge of the Vocal+ Summer Writing Series. Another non-literal take.
Here is my other entry:
Here are other entries into the Vocal+ Summer Writing Series:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (16)
"Light gives life beneath the waves, / revealing the serene world below." is definitely my favorite pair of lines here. Both because it's factually accurate, a lovely image, and a great way to mark the shift from the darkness of drowning to the lightness of the water surrounding. Also love how you have to really rub it in your American audience's face by not only using "meter" but spelling it in the funny way you UK fellas do with the inverted "r" 😎 Me? I'll be sinking to the bottom by yards, thank you very much 🦅🏈
I loved how you made the beautiful truth of nature and the human condition intertwine in this! Brilliant. So many times we are almost consumed/crushed/overwhelmed in life but then a glimpse of spiritual light awakens hope.
Absolutely gorgeous, Paul! I love the hope and the redemption story it told :)
Like how you turned it inspirational, Paul. Great entry
Everybody loves a comeback story 🩷 Even if you sink to the depths enlightenment is still possible. Love it!
Loved the section about light bringing life beneath the surface. Quite poignant. Also have to ask what this asterisk represents: "Light Breaks Water Challenge of the Vocal* Summer Writing Series"
Your poem beautifully captures the journey through darkness into hope and healing. The way you navigate the descent and the emergence of light is inspiring — a reminder that even in our lowest moments, there is a path toward peace. Truly moving and full of grace.
I read it through twice, lol. First time I got the superficial element of drowning and finding the surface to breath. Second time around, I kind of saw it as someone giving up and letting themselves sink. But then they saw the light and hope, and they climbed back to the surface, letting go of the suffering. Many interpretations, haha. Also, thank you for using British English on here (i.e. "metre"). I'm always wondering if I should cave and use American English on Vocal, so I'm glad you're being a shining example. :D
Definitely felt the suffocation of drowning for a moment and then a rush of oxygen at the end! Really stunned by the final stanza, the imagery and the extension beyond the particulars of the scene
Love the optimism at the end. I think we all need that right now. Well done Paul.
Oh, this was good, very good, Paul. I liked it a lot.
This was so beautiful and like a breath of fresh air! Loved your poem! 🍩🥐
One way or another, head toward the light.
Non literals are what works for me. This was lovely. How is the book of poetry or the topic, if still active, drop me a link to it. Trying to catch up here.
Awesome work. I really felt the shift from drowning in despair to surfacing with clarity.
Good job, and this kind of makes me feel that I am observing someone drowning, but also watching the saving in a way.