One.

“Beyond the abyss lies the light”

I’m walking up the limestone stairs, no, I’m climbing, hardly catching breath. No, I 
don’t want you to chase after me, my blue dream tentacles. The world is flooded as 
always in my swollen sleep. The water is rising and I’m tired of breathing. I’m tired 
of this growing heat, my lungs perspire and I’m already drowning in me. Purge me. 
Every step stares back at me as if asking where I’m going. These stairs are slowly 
eroding. I wish I knew. Calcite bubbles pull my ankles with their tiny hands.

Two.

Night falls like wine stain. Clouds cover clotted blood. Underneath the tranquil lake 
hides a fluther of memories, drifting flashlights.

Aisthesis      Volume 8,  201747

Confessions I
by Jianna Jihyun Park



Confessions I 

Three.

“Beyond the abyss—”

Our apartment drowned. Our nine years old Maltese drowned. My thoughts of you 
drowned as your soft singing voice drowned. You might as well have been sobbing. 
The only thing that didn’t drown is a pair of sneakers I left on the bridge. I guess they 
wanted to stay. You’re safe to walk away in them. But I forgot to unclog our shower 
drain and now you don’t know what to do. I’m sorry I couldn’t wait.

Four.

Laver hair drips black water   drip
  
        drip
  
          drip
    

       drip

      drip

Five.

“…lies the light”

And we are drawn to it. You said drowning was the way to go. You didn’t say it 
stings like jellyfish, poisonous voltage. Brain gasping, eyes dilated, eardrums bursting 
kaleidoscopes, I waited for the last relief. 

Aisthesis      Volume 8,  201748



Confessions I

I—electrified—waited.

Six.

Blue jellyfish breathes in; water gravitates toward the marred heart
She breathes out, and lets out a black hairball
Collapsing bridge slow dives into the abyss 

Aisthesis      Volume 8,  201749