The Emergence

she had languished

nearly submerged

semi-conscious

in the skin-pruning depths

of the deepest dank well

clinging with full tenacity

achieving uprightness

in incremental measure

nostrils hovering

barely clearing

oily-scummed surface

 

in fits and starts

she slithered and clawed

wedging toes

scrabbling fingertips

ignoring the slough of dermis

fighting swamping suck

of shame

that feeds night creatures

from her putrified detritus

quivering in exertion

infinitesimal rising

 

climb, arduous and wearying

beneath shredded digits

stoned grips dry

slime drips off

truth stretches her limbs

stench thins

diluting its nasal infiltration

above, the rocky lip

backlit tantalizing

beckoning daylight

zenith surfaces, as does she

 

(image: Wikipedia, artist Jean Leon-Gerome)