~Charlie O’Brien, Class of 2023

The sea is deep and vast with dark lone fish.
Gloomy creatures fill the chilling depths;
Succulent seaweed flows effortlessly; 
Coral and rocks razor-sharp edges.
Grains of sand setting the ground with beauty
Waves crashing beneath the full moon of June;
Smell of sea breeze and unfinished ciggys,
For all who attempt to conquer the blue.
Millions of fates have been sealed in the waves:  
Try your luck, or it may run out one day.

Endless waves and waters flood my mind,
Voyaging the seas with one perspective. 
The only troubles come with empty gin.
My Rickety boat rock forth on the waves.
A pontoon comes through and I'm in danger. 
Booming thunder, crashing waves, cowards luck.
Tsunami-type swells throw me overboard. 
Heart racing as fast as a new sports car;
Thoughts stuck with me like a tube of super glue,
Sinking and sinking, I was gonna die.

Taking in the last of the summer moon.
Sailing at dark wasn’t a good idea.
Feeling the chilling waters refreshed me;
I lacked moisture ever since was on shore.
My light became dark as I slowly sank 
A poetic death suits my final fate;
Water and fear sinks into my bare lungs
Sucking the last right from my body.
No energy and will to swim back up; 
One with the fish as the fish are with me.

Like they say about your final moments:
My years flashing before my very own eyes;
My skull thumps against a flat rock deep down;
My brain is telling me to keep pushing;
My heart knows it is time that I may rest. 
The pain of drowning starts to set in fast
Within no time my soul will be flooded,
Both with distant memories and water.

Sadness, joy, relief, melancholy mind.
My last moments were shared with a smile...