Barbs rooted in fray
thrashing for the very life
every last breath excerpted
despite aching muscles
old eyes bruises and
the ebbing tides urgent uncertainty
those finals strains
on its working flesh
most severe
demise by freedom
its final reach
brief as the open
mouth of tidal surge
form corrupted by jostling neigbours
fractured exoskeleton safety
set aside
relink the chain
mouths hang open