The Swamp depression held him in its throes he struggled less as time went by he sank into the murky swamp with water deep and mud that trapped it reached his neck his mind did drift sought to escape this tortured place then passed a breeze through the still air his gasps for breath did draw it in his eyes did light as from within he seemed to wake and glance about his mind revived with focus clear and blood did course through veins anew he raised his head to look above and sought some point to fix upon a star that shone down through the haze through gloom of swamp the pinpoint pierced he raised his arms slowly but sure to tread against the murky tide holding his gaze upon the star his distant hope a promise true his progress slow he would not yield for tired limb or anguished soul at last he beached and crawled ashore placing his feet upon the land no stopping now he pressed ahead journeying down the path once more (C) Robert H. Harrison