Window
I've never loved the water but I step in and the river rises until I am a half-girl,
gliding across the surface. Leaning back, the water closes a window over my face and I don't know what I want. A spirit guide? A wide awakening? I've read about these things. Through the window I see broken sunshine and imagine it's my own enlightenment. The window shatters, river runs off my body, and I look around wondering about the work of the trees and the calling of water. The sun does its job of drying my skin and I'm thinking maybe this river is Holy, or just warm, or perhaps it's the ghost of Moses reassuring
me of his mastery of the Water Arts because I swear the river parts like a book opening. A page turns in my mind. I had
never thought of it like that. This book. I leap in and make
myself busy with the current, behave like the swimmer I'm not. Limb over limb I decide to keep going because
the current is a teacher, and maybe I will be able to read this rocky river bottom with my feet. Some things
require learning to read all over again. Some things you can't learn from a
book.
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This prose poem took my breath away. It's evocative. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI've asked Betsy this, but now I'll ask you. What did your parents feed the two of you as kids? I'm not sure how two talented writers came out of one family. I'm amazed.
Well, thanks. I think my parents just raised hard workers. If I write anything well it's just a testament to the power of revision, really. Thanks again.
DeleteThere is something to be said about hard work, isn't there?
DeleteThis drew me in and swept me away - beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very thought provoking post! I will be rereading again just to absorb all the different message(s) you are sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh Lori, you did it again. Wrote something that is so though provoking I need to read it ten times to find all the amazing pieces. When you say, "maybe I will be able to read this rocky river bottom with my feet." I say brilliant.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I wasn't the only one who read it multiple times to find all of the beauty in it. It is brilliant. (Lori -- you should try to get this published somewhere. It really is stunning.)
DeleteOh my goodness! There are so many great lines that grabbed my attention - I can't even pick just one! I have read it several times just to enjoy all the special moments again. Excellent!
ReplyDelete