drowning in the sea of the past

drowning in the sea of the past

drowning in the sea of the past head barely above high waves
first i was simply wading leaving a few footprints on the shore
but then i fell in a struggle to last searching for a watery grave
true false believing the unbelieving imagine there is yet more
the sea was buoyant at first lukewarm a pleasant taste of salt
too soon a deep chill descended my lips cracked and wrinkled
no longer the place life was born now the steel coffin in a vault
every tale told needs to be amended the spice of lies sprinkled
a few brief seconds below the surface sputter gasp and inhale
to choke and cough in pure panic black spots before the eyes
lungs burn a fire eater at a circus with only one chance to fail
feel fear rising in moments manic shedding the dread disguise
only to realize that all was futile air leaked out water came in
sinking in a cold ocean of bile later to float on a surface of sin