Oxygenated [Part 2]
Catharsis as Still Water
![Oxygenated [Part 2]](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1510347630658-50da9aac096e?fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wzNTY3MHwwfDF8YWxsfHx8fHx8fHx8MTY5NjEzMzY5MXw&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=75&w=720&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=vocal.media "Oxygenated [Part 2]")
Let me sink into still water, at last,
moisture as the ocean’s fury pooling
below my heart and around my feet.
I found an oiled pelt four miles back. It was
scuffed with betrayal and worn from hurt.
In a mile's time, I hope to discover healing
(liquid message in a bottle)
for the welts beneath my dying skin.
Tell me it isn’t too late to adorn myself.
Let me roll off my own shoulders, like rain,
settle into my palm a butterfly
resting its wings. I will see my reflection
in the runoff, in the stillness after flight.
I want to pry open my ribcage,
release an ancient sigh, see froths
of venom evanescing (a wave's white water).
I have reached for acceptance
in the cold of December,
limbs numb from snow,
and grasped for the hand of deliverance
in the clear skies of June. Every time
I run my fingertips over reminiscence,
I fold up a barely quenched rage, tucking it behind
(inside) my lungs and try to breathe around it.
Tell me it isn’t too late
for the kiss of life.
In the burning end of autumn’s dance,
my oiled pelt will renew my scars.
And as I catch fast water (pools
beneath my feet) it will still,
as I have stilled,
and I will cup my hands to the Earth
finally able to hold absolution.
***
A/N
This was the first poem Poppy and I wrote together. (My first collaboration!) Poppy is truly wonderful, and I'm so honored that she considers me a friend, as I consider her one too.
We wrote two poems in the end, each one about forgiveness, though from different angles. I highly recommend you go check out her profile for some more of her masterpieces.
Click here for Part 1:
As always, thank you for reading!
About the Creator
Mackenzie Davis
“When you are describing a shape, or sound, or tint, don’t state the matter plainly, but put it in a hint. And learn to look at all things with a sort of mental squint.” Lewis Carroll
Find me elsewhere.
Copyright Mackenzie Davis.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Keep reading
More stories from Mackenzie Davis and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (34)
How did this pass me by? 😮 Stunning imagery and symbolism. ‘I fold up a barely quenched rage, tucking it behind (inside) my lungs and try to breathe around it.’ will stay with me for a long time. Well done for a deserving TS 👏
Superb writing!! Congrats on your top story and leaderboard placement! 😊🎉🎉👏
Upon my first read, I found it heavy (like an oiled pelt?). Now I read it again, and I see elegance in these lines. As if you are reaching the state of ultimate omni-forgiveness and then you're invincible.
This poem was exquisite. I loved ..."I want to pry open my ribcage, release an ancient sigh," - so provoking and it feels so honest.
Nice I wish ❤️ I mine where this good
a visceral and provoking piece! and, to me, a very important theme. Beautiful.
Gorgeous poetry, congratulations on top story. A kind of progressively scarred reconciliation, washed over by the seasonal changes. I'm interested to know what was the manner of collaboration? Did you write separately and build, or toss it back and forth, making changes?
These were amazing. Well done, both of you!
I love the colab idea!!!! This is stunning work 😍😍😍😍😍
Congratulations on your Top Story, well deserved
This was very beautiful. Congratulations on your top story.
This is such a beautifully moving poem. So very well done and so very deserving of Top Story. Congrats.
Great story
Woohoo Top Story!!🥳
I would like to echo the adulation and cheer expressed below but they pinched all the good words. This is so damn good, otterly brilliant! Makes me want to run off to a river somewhere Kudos to you both!
Remarkable and beautiful, Mackenzie! 💙Anneliese
Og my. Just gorgeous. Congrats on the TS.
yay, pals! Congrats on a well deserved Top Story!
I have no words! This was such a breath taking poem Mackenzie!! I love the flow and overall feel of it!! Beautifully done!!
Truly compelling, I regret that only one of my reads will be counted because this one demanded a second savouring
Loving this line, "In the burning end of autumn’s dance,my oiled pelt will renew my scars." Fantastic & congratulations on Top Story!!!❤️❤️💕
Congratulations on your Top Story🎊❤️📝🤝
Fire absolutely fire Mackenzie!!!
So I’m not exactly the best judge of poetry, Mackenzie, but I felt like this one was a prize winner. It felt deeply personal and emotional. You and Poppy did great!
This was mindblowing! You and Poppy make a great team! I especially loved tucking the unquenched rage behind the lungs and trying to breath around it!