Beneath the surface

Lanterns shine as few walk
across a frosted surfaced lake
armed with tools and supplies

listening for the screaming the clawing,
the victims futile attempts
to reach the surface of thickening ice

they panic, beg and pray
for a search and rescue mission
a hero to save them from a watery grave

before they commit to full immersion
before they suffer the thrashing waves
drowning in a pool of certain suicide

the lucky ones who reach out
feel the saving embrace
as they are safely pulled to shore

the others slowly grow weaker
their breath gradually escape their lips
they sink to the bottom, becoming harder to find

soon i too will join the water of bodies