Undertow

Every metre I make good,

something grabs my ankle.

Old defeats have muscle.

The drag can quote

my history by heart.

And some of what's pulling

I once called mine.

That's the cruel bit.

Undertow —

it only pulls the moving.

Standing still is how it wins.

So I move.

It merchandises drift:

"rest a while, let go now,

the bottom's very peaceful."

The bottom is a liar,

but it lies in tones I miss.

That's how it nearly works.

Undertow —

I know your gentle sales pitch

cold by now.

I'm a terrible customer.

I move.

Current, meet the counterweight.

I've been training in you for years.

What I leave in you, I loved.

I'm leaving anyway.

Undertow —

you made my kick this strong.

Every pull got answered.

Thanks for the legs. I move.

And I'll miss you from the beach,

old pull. I will. I move.