Flatline

Inhale,

Exhale...

Over and over again.

Muscle memory,

until you remember and then your muscles begin to react to your own body, the air flowing in and out, the organs expanding and contracting.

Sometimes, gasping for air is all you can do,

when the water gets too high or the air is too cold, your body craves survival and begins to contract every muscle and organ to get that air.

Inhale,

Exhale,

Inhale,

Exhale...

until you can't anymore.

The cold freezes you from the inside out,

the water swallows you whole and drags you down,

down,

down,

until your body is one with the water.

Existing is expected; living is a privilege.

Death greets life as an old friend.

Inhale

Exhale...

Inhale...

Exhale...

____________________________________________________

You can rest now.