'Water's baptism'

'Water's baptism' timothy r gates, 9/03/2010

conceived, birthed
entombed by this mystery
threatens every breath,
awaiting one outside this crypt

delivery, birthing
catch me if you can
first breath, precarious
ready for presumed independence

water's baptism
now inside as was outside
atmosphere recalls our birth
an illusion, a desert

diving, walking
hold your breath,
reptilian latency – like our
tail bone –
lingering science, theology polemics

buried in the womb
then in a tomb
cleansed by washing
sixth day's deluge
angels and fairies look on
lions and lambs skip

water's baptism
catch me if you can
last breath, swallowed
ready for a dive into, 'next?'