lower yourself onto the surface

 then sink down

and down

and down

 let your head

hit the bottom

first

make sure to give

yourself enough time

to escape

but sometimes when I instruct  

there are those that will listen

too well

 doing everything right

they fall then forget to get up

 trapped in the oasis, they can’t leave

 or maybe

they just don’t want to

Should I

feel guilty?

the others

let their prayers

part from their lips

and then start the ascent

but those that chose to stay

will be held forever

in murky depths

in swaths of browns and blue

hidden from reality

others will say

their ghosts have found peace

but I know

better

here is no peace

there

tortured souls are laid to rest

they wanted an escape

I gave them a way out

craving relief,

I give them the golden ticket

and each year

more and more find me,

wandering, hoping

I take them down

let them balance life

and this place

let them see for themselves

so brace yourself

lower yourself onto the surface