The tide is turning,

the seawater is filling my lungs.

I still push forward

to reach a gasp of air.

I'm fighting against the current

and the storm,

reaching one arm out

then the other

kicking away in the water,

striving for survival.

The rain is pounding

on my pale flesh

like shards of glass,

piercing my eyes

disfiguring my skin,

trying to reach

the calmer waters

The sounds of the sea

around me,

 my nostrils flare

fighting  for a chance

to inhale the air,

fighting for my survival,

to escape its grasp

trying to reach

the calmer waters.

Something is grasping at me

trying to pull me under,

to take me with it,

I push onward,

stroke after stroke

breath after breath,

striving to succeed,

swimming for survival,

the wind and waves and rain

whistle loudly in my ears,

salt water burns my eyes

pierces my skin,

onward I push,

untill I make it

to the calmer waters.