Duncan Ackerman

Waves crush the breath from my shredded lungs,
My ladder separates from its weakening rungs,
The salt water rises to taste my face,
Beating out life from within its loose embrace.
One last rung lies tauntingly above,
Reaching out, grasping safety feeling the waters last shove.
Parting clouds free the sun from its black prison,
The water settles as I regain my vision