On the horizon we saw the clouds,
shifted the sails to catch their wind--
a feeble attempt at outrunning--
this was no hum drum hurricane

Night caught us off guard
no stars to light the sky
snaking tentacles coming up port side
pulled the captain down into the blue

It must have been my wicked smile
or how the beast chose to ignore me
the crew turned shark eyes toward me
pressed a blade against my throat

Seized by limb and wrists bound
lifted up and jostled around
hostile tones demanded a sacrifice
something to save themselves

Saltwater covered and stung my eyes
vision distorted, I saw the giant rise
smashed the ship to kindling pieces
sucked me up and gave me clarity

Benthic pressures against my head
freezing cold cutting into skin
the deepest trenches of the ocean
the abysmal home I return to

This is no Atlantis, no utopia
hidden just beneath the surface
no fountain of youth to be found
just the tendrils of the monster

patiently waiting to pull you down