Vortex

Mesmerising whirlpool,
deceptively strong—
your power a source of
fascination and horror
in equal measure.
Time and again,
I've watched others swim—
some remaining on the periphery;
others venturing further in;
but most being drawn,
inexorably,
towards your axis
and their zenith,
or nadir,
depending on your viewpoint.
One thing I do know
is that the inward journey is swift;
spiralling ever faster, by definition,
while the journey out
requires patience, time
and determination.

Then, just occasionally,
the process works in reverse,
defying the laws of physics,
upending the world as we know it
and stunning those
close enough
to watch.