On breathing water: first, relax—

accept that what is now

and what will come

are different.

Eyes closed, allow the water

to envelop your face. A liminal kiss

is a prayer and a promise.

Do not force.

Contract your stomach; hold tension:

the act of moving without motion.

Focus on the effort wasted

that makes you stronger.

Perspective.

Squeeze gently inwards, allowing fear

to leak away (in your breath, in your sweat). It

is becoming you. You

becoming it.

Inversion.

On leaving air: relax—

let nature follow flow, water

filling lungs.

This moment of transition

the gods adore, and now

is when the nanites set:

bubbles mark your last breath

of air.