Drowning

Written while watching a teen try to destroy her life ...

Drowning
for Laura

You are drowning,
and no matter what I do
no matter how hard I try
I can’t seem to save you.

I threw you a life preserver
but you swam away from it –
it hooked you once,
a perfect shot around your head,
but you just ducked under it
and escaped from its saving graces.

I sent a lifeboat filled with supplies
but you didn’t have the strength
to pull yourself in
and you refused
the many outstretched hands.

I even jumped in after you
more than once –
but each time
you thrashed even harder
and pushed me away.

And so it seems
that the only choice you leave me with
is to swim away
or go down with you ...

which is no choice at all.