FIRST RULE

Copyright: JAN 2010

Word count: 86
It isn’t in my nature to willingly give up on people, but sometimes, even I know I can only do so much. The title of this poem comes from the first rule I learned about rescuing drowning victims: Don't drown yourself in the process.


I am throwing out life preservers
like petals on the water,
bread crumbs of rope and foam,
to save the people I see drowning in my wake.


It is my way of remembering them,
Of letting them know I’ll still pull them in to safety
Of letting them know I still care
That I am still here.


“Stop.” He tells me.
“If they decide not to drown,
they will choose to stand up.
The water isn’t that deep.”


The rope has blistered my hands,
My fingers are numb with strain,
As the faces of those I love drift past me on the waves
I will them, I beg them
to stand…


and I count the bubbles escaping their lips…