one
I sat with my toes just barely breaking the water,
Watching it run freely with a jealously hardly contained.
I wanted to freeze it right where it lay,
And tell it “you’re just like me.”
two
The shallow end of the pool always seemed more inviting.
I often stood at the edge where the tile dipped down into darkness,
Nothing keeping me from the plunge below.
three
She returned with dripping hair and wild eyes.
“Don’t go in the water.”
From then on she stayed inside whenever it rained.
I never asked what she saw in the depths.
four
The priest called the water holy.
I saw it as nothing more
Than 30 pieces of silver.
five
I was always in love with the ocean.
The waves lapped against the beach
And pulled me in by the hair,
Whispering its siren song.
six
I let the water settle gently against my lips,
Pretending they were yours.
I can taste you in the saltwater.
seven
The river talks to me at night sometimes,
When nothing is heard but the water.
I learned that it loves to trick me, lying
And whispering that I’m my mother’s daughter.
eight
Sunlight danced over the water like fairies,
Leaving odd ripples in its wake.
The old willow tree in the back dipped its branches gratefully into the lake to drink,
Creaking as it slowly bent.
Minnows darted through the sand. I could almost hear their giggles
As I sank to the bottom.
nine
Narcissus died in love,
Alone,
And drowned.
ten
Happiness rushed out of her,
Foaming and thundering like a waterfall.
I nearly didn’t have the heart to tell her,
But someone had to take the fall.
eleven
Searing sun beat fast about my shoulders,
Catching the sweat from my forehead with a forked tongue
And beady eyes that struck at my parched throat.
Every ounce of water inside my poor stricken vessel
Seemed to be sucked dry by the shimmering waves of heat.
twelve
She sees sharp teeth in the water. I see home,
Gentle and welcoming. She kneels,
Asking for forgiveness.
The waves are unforgiving.
They never forget.
thirteen
The blade was made of polished seaglass,
Weathered by countless years at sea.
They say if you were nicked,
You could hear the siren’s songs.
I turned to the window,
Clenching my fist as blood ran down my fingers.
The sirens beckoned with sharp claws.