Swimming

I feel as though

I am just treading water,

unable to make it to shore.

My nose

is just above the cool liquid

that threatens

to invade my lungs.

My legs just run in circles

without interference.

My mind is engaged

in survival.

I could give in,

I could just stop,

I could quit,

but ...

I just keep doing

what I know how to do.

I keep hoping for that

future. Working

on that dream,

knowing that

one day I will

stand on the shore

just dipping my toes in

when I feel like it.