struggling valiantly i strain in vain
to loose myself from the despairing
my chest beats hard
longing for a breath

in panic i work the lock
frantically hoping for a miracle
stretching for the surface
if only for a minute

the burning in my heart
that only oxygen can quench
some air bubbles
escape my mouth and nose

i must hurry

can’t get them loose
i look to the floor
what is binding me down
—my sin!!

i plead for mercy within my heart
afraid to let the words and remnant air
slip from my lungs

i close my eyes at my folly
this is my sentence - my destiny
looking to the floor
i prepare to let out my breath
to succumb to my most certain death

my ears hear a splash
i look up to see a hand reaching down
the hand cradles my chin
as i hear the voice beckon
“come here my son”

at once the chains fall
freeing my hands from the depths
of this water grave
i swim towards the surface
the anticipation of my heart and lungs
is overwhelming

i break the surface
and inhale violently
as the pastor finishes
“—and raised in the likeness
of his resurrection”

i smile when i realize
my sin now lies in the depth
of the sea of forgetfulness

i climb the stairs
of the baptismal
his fragrance envelopes
my soul

amen