If I were taller, I’d wade Water lapping at my knees, I’d be At peace, unafraid That I might wander in too deep But here I am, so close to land And I’m drowning in the shallow water If I were curious, I’d roam Stirring ripples with my strides, I’d go Searching for a home Looking out across the tides But I’m looking down at my reflection And it’s drowning in the shallow water If I were stronger, I’d swim And flounder though I might, they’d say I put the effort in At least I went out with a fight But there’s no honor to be found Drowning in the shallow water If I were patient, I’d stop Close my eyes Count my breaths And see For everything I’m not There’s still unfathomable depth And my lungs keep pumping air Out here beyond the shallow water **I actually wrote all but the last verse of this poem several years ago, and never finished it because it was, uhh… too bleak. I was happy this prompt (and a few years’ perspective) gave me a chance to bring it out of the nose dive at least a little bit.