Riptide

It looks just like you're standing on the shore,

The riptide is pulling you in.

Each crashing wave sinks your feet deeper 

   Into the sand.

Rooted to where you must stand,

Unable to free yourself from the knowledge 

   Of going down.

Lips sealed tight with your secret,

Unable to even utter a sound. 

A hand reaches out for you,

But it's nothing but an illusion. 

The act of pretending to want to even care,

Is obvious in what's not hidden in your stare.

Shameless pining to nurture self abuse,

Unwilling to let go of what is unattainable. 

Buried deeper into the sand,

You refuse to reach out your hand,

Choosing to gamble with your psychological,

   Emotional and spiritual growth,

Thinking that the tide will recede and lessen,

Not seeing that it is nothing but an obsession. 

It looks like you're standing on the shore,

The riptide is pulling you in,

Because you have no strength to liberate yourself 

   From where you willingly and foolishly stand.

09.04.17
©Kerri L. Stanley