Poem Seven: The Magic Trick, Alternate

Poem Seven:  The Magic Trick Alternative

after Harry Houdini

I sink beneath water.

The pressure inside

here, blind-folded, bound

in rope and chain,

the locks on my body 

should outnumber the desire 

to survive. Why do I do this?

I close my eyes. See

your red dress, Coney Island

boardwalk crowded with raindrops, 

oh Rosabelle believe-! Mother reaches

for me from the other side.

I close my eyes.

I dream of animals.

Slow drumming sound,

lace of your dress,

astounding pressure of water 

snakes around my chest.

Passage of matter 

through matter.  

My arms slide through

links of metal and rope-I ascend. 

Only the sound of my heart,

it beats so loud

can anyone 

hear it?