Now I’ve really done it. br I’ve flayed myself open like roast poultry br For all to see, br With not even the wishbone left for my efforts. br Wandering haplessly down the path of myself, br Something hooked my heart, br Reached in to grab my spine, br And took hold like cholera, br And now lies content rattling my bones br And lighting my flesh afire br With little or no advanced notice whatsoever. br br In a vain attempt to drown out the echoes br Of pain, pleasure and poetry, br I plunged myself headfirst into reality, br Only to find myself surrounded br To the point of vertigo br With life, death and leftovers. br br At long last, upon surrendering br To the endless stream of subject matter br Which torments me, br I have stopped struggling to swim br And have learned to enjoy the ride when tide is high, br Hold my breath when it gets rough, br And thoroughly appreciate the feeling br of floating against its weight br When all is calm. br br So for those who stand on ocean’s edge, br Unsure and trusting your life to that br Child-sized rubber bubble float, br I say one thing: br br Come on in br The water’s fine.