Five Seconds

kayaking, panic

Clear green lake on a perfect September morning
The glass surface spreads for miles.
As I slide into my kayak
My stomach creeps up my esophagus.
An extension of my legs,
We glide onto Lake Superior.
Training,
It's my turn.
With clenched eyelids
And air trapped in my lungs,
I disturb the calm lake.
Upside down and lost,
panicstrikesmyheart.
Ican'tpulltheskirtoff
whereamI?
I'mpullingup
Butgoingdown-
WhichwayamIturninground?
Ifinallys l i p
And kick
And surface
After an hour
Of five seconds