.        after Sumar¹

Do not bother taking any time
to break open the skin—
your skin is already a tomb.

Wait
until you’ve been submerged
for so long, fear is exchanged
for acquiescence.

Wait
until you do not
recognize the sound
of your own voice.

Wait
until the impulse to live
goes remnant,
until even thought
goes wraith.

Take your first memory
down with you if you must—
but at the last moment,
let it go.

Depth is deceitful.

You are close.
So much closer
than you’ve ever
been to the sun.

Pray that you will not die
a savage death.

Pray, since you’ve forgotten,
someone will remember
your name.

¹Sumar was an orca who died under allegedly mysterious conditions at SeaWOrld San Diego in 2010 at the age of 12. In the wild, orcas can live for up to several decades. Orcas are among the only species known to commit suicide in captivity. Sumar means “Summer” in Icelandic.

-Bianca Spriggs