6.30

Today, I let all the air out of my lungs and sank to the lakebed, five feet down. I had my eyes closed, and couldn't see anything beautiful. My ears were full of the rushing of blood and nothing else came through. My senses were numbed by the cold water and the weightlessness, and I sat there just long enough for panic to grip me. It didn't take long.
I rushed to the surface for air, heedless of how strange I must look to the fish and the birds and the trees, who never exchange one gasp for another. Only the newts looked on, understanding.