The water’s ascent
acts in mutiny above her,
the steam coruscates
the femininity,
like the oxidation of air
upon metal,
the precipitation
devouring.
This peaceful scene,
paused like a still from a film,
tentacle wisps of red
curl towards the ceiling,
now she is floating,
the tears of her angels
catch,
cushion her fall.
Her breath escapes,
through this miasma,
pain buoyed upwards –
she stiffens in silence,
sinking, her eyes gleaming
and the light reflecting off the
shrinking bubbles,
before they burst
like the pops of volcanic lava,
sounding the
voice of a million dreams.
The waves washed above her as
she drifted away, in the background
the deep rumble
of the world
creaked its joints,
tremors running deep
through the ocean –
she knew it was about to
begin.
Lauren Hyunseo Cho is a feminist poet who envisions inclusivity for all marginalised communities, as well as legitimization of intersectional minorities.
Featured image credit: Reuters/Editing: LiveWire/Tanya Jha