Nirjhar Deb
I chose Nirjhar’s piece because his use of language creates images and feelings beyond the text. It’s peaceful and plunges you into what it’s like to explore the deep blue sea.
My First Breath Under the Horizon
Waves bathed in crimson red and yellow dashes.
Clouds smeared with streaks of orange and cherry.
Sky flavored with hints of saffron and mustard.
And then, there was me, at the brink of horizon.
Fully armored in goggles, tanks, and neoprene,
Currents rocking me back and forth,
I pressed the button on my wrist and took a deep breath,
And descended into the darkness.
For the mere moment, my eyes sealed,
My heartbeat plunged to the depths,
And my breath held for eternity.
I, a machine, rendered obsolete in a new world.
The deep blue seeped into my goggles,
As the metallic air filled my lungs.
A stream of bubbles rushed to the surface,
As I opened the door to Poseidon’s world.