Still Waters

He warned me to test the waters
before entering,
one toe would do
to let me know
if I’d be in hot water,
but it certainly wouldn’t tell me
if I’d be in deep water
over my head.

But, come hell or high water,
by god, I would try.

He warned me I’d be dead in the water
if I didn’t watch out,
predators lurk beneath
even a local watering hole;
it would not be enough
to simply
keep my head above water.

His arguments didn’t hold water with me,
I knew I would survive.

He warned me I’d be a fish out of water
without him to protect me.
He begged me to stay,
begged me to forgive,
in a year it would all be
water under the bridge.

But soon I was gone, for after all,
within my soul still waters run deep.