Dunk Tank

Eyes closed tight
Fingers in fists
You wait with breath held prisoner
In desperate lungs
Muscles pulled taut
Tension wires
brittle with anticipation
Electric shock of sound
Impact against your ear drums
Sudden weightlessness
Then Gravity
Rips you from the moment
Icy water
Burning cheeks
You wonder if it is better
Just for a second
to hide in the tank
you can hear
echo of laughter
muddied cheers
rueful smile
you volunteered…