The sentence I am given is life - the moment drowned and saved, it overcame me and I said yes to its comforting power, its abyssal slide its grateful lack of being and no senses in pain - I slipped away, my lips past forming gratitude and the rude awakening stayed, and knives stayed, and the wood was hefted and I bear it today: I am not now away - I press and blow from weight and sorrow is my legacy, the crown I show.next poem