these wrinkled lines of contemplation
that writhe upon the Severn's course
reflecting brightly-bold the rays
of sun's sweet golden light
remind me of a place
I used to dwell
within the deep and swarthy swell

a void created just by me
and free of all frivolity
a bubble of a fantasy
away from harsh reality
but not one true-designed
or well thought-out
yet one hard-fought for
all the same
earned and sturdy-built

a place where for a while I fell
upon the earth ~ my living hell

a dark and suffocating space
stifling the human pace

yet, having risen above those pitchy depths
breaking free from thought's dark constructs 
my soul now longs to forge a path
toward a bright horizon
such promises
it may yet bring

but still
it seems
as though
sometimes 
my feet won't rise
to meet my dreams
trailing, dragging
just above seductive current's clutch
I fear one day my upward thrust
may once again
give in
to such dull watery lust

...but not today

just for today
I choose
to float above temptation's call
and rest awhile
amid the pain and fear and truth
to feel
to live
no matter the cost
to greet
to love
to meet
to fly
with such a speed
to each new quest
every deed
to match its spawning thought

watch me dance
naked in the truth
betwixt grand age and youth

I am here 
I am real
I will be me

...just for today