The Language Barrier Reef

We swim in a lucid sea
some miles out and diving,
the shore stretching
endlessly.
The language barrier reef.

Words, we sometimes speak
to each other; we seek
things and respond appropriately.
The language barrier reef.

We divide and conquer
sometimes, and watch coral
grow dense on the sea-bed
languidly.

The language barrier reef
cements our sediments, setting
like ash on dry seas,
the drifts rocking
silently.
The language barrier reef.

How happened this language loss,
sight unchanged, lungs drowned
and coral choked, sound swallowed
stealthily?
The language barrier reef.