"a time of crisis" by Jenna Polich

 God loves you, but not enough to save you.
 -Ethel Cain, “Sun Bleached Flies”

the sea reflecting the ashy, gray clouds surrounds me, forever drowning
& floundering, awaiting that beautiful gasp of fresh air that will seemingly never
come as i sink further, never reaching the surface or the life raft that blocks
the sun from peeking through as my lungs are endlessly filled
with water. the gaggle of bastards stand before me, peering down
as i stretch my hands up to the surface of the sea, attempting to rise
above, but how can i rise above when i am spoken about with hatred?
i am no longer a woman, no longer able to feel the warmth of another pearl.
no longer free as their gluttonous hands take & take & take
every little thing. they snatch the life raft before me as my knuckles
grazed it, throwing it to another who floats & lies
on their back, one who has never faced drowning.
i will continue to sink until i reach the bottom.
i may not rise, but the bubbles of my last breath will breach the surface.

Jenna Polich is a sophomore majoring in English and Creative Writing and minoring in History. She plans to work in publishing after Waldorf. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, listening to music, and cuddling with her dog, Mouse.