Words In The Water

Standing knee deep in cold water
Swiftly moving, somehow
I knew I'd lost something

Wading waist deep I saw a book there in the river
Waiting for me to find it there
I tried to read it, neck deep, treading water
But the tide, it pulled me out to sea

Then, with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase

They were honey on my lips
But then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
Is there no one who can save me? I cried

Sinking, down deep through cold water and heavy silence
Shadows stirring in the gloom
What things that lay sleeping down deep in the darkness woke then
To find me in that tomb?

And when I lost all hope to look
Someone took that heavy book
From my hands, all its weight they set aside
After they had satisfied its demands

I felt white and black reverse
And the lifting a curse from my heart
Then like one receiving sight
I beheld a brilliant light in the dark