We stare off into the vast unknown

a sea of limitless depth

and pounding waves

with denizens that cause us fear

a sea of tentacles and stinging barbs

and jagged teeth of shark

yet above it all we float

delirious in hope

our determination strong as the

taste of salt in the air

we struggle to not go under

always clinging to the raft of precious life

the sun beats down

we gulp, we grasp, we paddle

against the pull of the pounding waves

we thread water as long as we can

we struggle mightily against fear

of the dark unknown

nibbling at our feet.