Mariana Trench,
Deep sea diving,
Miles below sea-level,
Regulate breathing,
All oxygen on my back,
My life on my back.

Diving buddy,
Four metres in front,
Black suit for the cold,
I’m wearing one too,
Yellow tank on his back,
I’m wearing one too.

Striking creatures,
Unknown species,
All colours possible,
Some scuttle,
Some glide,
All are graceful.

Lost my buddy,
Black suit now camouflaged,
Where is he?
Trying to stay calm,
Do not waste oxygen,
He will turn up.

Getting worried,
Must stay calm,
I’m not managing it,
Where’s my buddy?
Calling, Shouting,
Forgetting none can hear me.

Make a decision:
Look for him or save myself,
I choose the second,
I might die!
Swim urgently up,
Staying calm forgotten.

Tank bumped against something!
Against a rock,
Oxygen seeping out,
My oxygen seeping out,
Bubbles floating upwards,
My bubbles floating upwards.

Desperately swimming up,
Chances are I won’t make it,
Buddy not important,
Save myself, try.
Swim up…
Swim up…

Water looking lighter,
Not deep blue as before,
Maybe I can make it,
Hope gives me strength,
Swim up…
Swim up…

Breathing harder,
Can hear each breath,
Ragged, desperate,
I can’t do this anymore,
I will not survive,
Hope has disappeared.

Make a decision:
Carry on fighting for life or
Let water claim me
I choose the easy option,
A good decision,
Is it the right one?

Stop struggling for breath,
Fall back the way I have come,
Black spots on my eyes,
Let them grow,
Fill me up with darkness,
Sink into the oblivion of water.