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Poetry Library Southbank Centre - The Poetry Library housing the Arts Council Collection at Southbank Centre

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Glenn Perry

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Drown

The water was touching my head,
like a refreshing caress

I began to shiver and shudder,
calmly trying to convince myself
that there was no mortal danger

I felt a lump in my throat

All of a sudden I was scared

Cold sweat broke out of my face
as I was forced to make an effort
to raise myself,

as the water reached my eyes ...

I could feel my stomach turning
over inside me

Steadily the water level was climbing up,

creeping up

My submerged ears couldn’t hear
the echo of the menacing laugh that was
coming from my tormentor

Uneasiness changed into fright

My muscles contracted
as I try to raise my face above the water

I couldn’t avoid swallowing

I choked

I tossed to and fro,
trying to get the water out of my lungs

Terror had me in its grip

I fought with real fury against imminent death,
like a fish caught on a hook

I lose consciousness

Stars began whirling in my eyes,
bells were ringing piercing my ear-drums

My heart pounding like a sledge-hammer
on an anvil

I thought I screamed

I lose consciousness

 

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