Scuba diving in America
My dad proposed to my mom
on a slate while scuba diving
I think it makes sense
What’s more romantic
than wading through
a dark, cold world
that doesn’t really want you there,
pressure on all sides
and you can never quite get on your feet
or leave, at least not quickly
without bubbles in your blood
where no one would hear you
if you screamed
I think my dad was saying, “I will.”
Listen–even if it’s just a peep,
Be your air tank,
remind you to breathe
You only need one person
to shine their light
on a little blue fish.
Did you see that?
And the pressure eases just enough
to keep swimming.
Typewriter Rodeo airs each Friday on Texas Standard. Send us your ideas for a poem on 
