Abyss

From the floor of our ocean
vents spew up a hell
of sulfur and boiling water;

a place where men cannot breathe
for the heat and smell,
nor swim
for the weight of water.

Such a hell is not hard to imagine
when no help comes
as each day brings another struggle.

So we wrestle, curse fate, and groan,
wear down muscle
and bone to gristle.

Thoughts of God are not likely to come,
since we know
there's no greater mistake than to trust.

We continue at unmanageable depths
treading stinking water.