Andrea, this is just breathtaking and beautiful. The thought of slowly sinking down to those depths and living quietly and peacefully. So lovely!

So many beautiful and dark metaphors you have written here andrea. I think a lot of us know what it feels like at rock bottom- You understand what it is at rock bottom now. You seem to compare yourself to the bottom of the ocean dwellers and I enjoyed that metaphor because they are looked upon with judgemental eyes just like humans in real life. You have made a home and although it is at "rock bottom" you begin to realize that there are many people there too- so in spite of what you may have thought at first you are truly not alone in the end- and that feeling in itself is comforting.

This was beautifully dark with a twist of hope intertwined in there near the end.
Your words flow so smoothly and like Jamie said, I think All of us if not most of us can relate to having hit rock bottom.

“maybe it's not so bad to thrive
where the night creatures dwell-
they have a strength I thrive upon”

These lines are filled with hope and acceptance,
Most people are surprised to find that you are the strongest during your most trying times- even when you don’t feel it.

“it keeps me going
when the light stings
my eyes.”

This line is perfection. I don’t have any other way to put or describe it.
Job well done!