You blend in with stones
algae, rock—I know
if I picked you up
you'd be cool to touch.
Your head would retract
and your elephant paws
would fin the air
with a noiseless grace.
In the water, those soft
elegant feet sway like palms
do a rond de jambe
to make your body glide.
I want to be you—
a stone with a soul
suspended in the pond
tip of nose touching air—
you near the pollen-flecked pool
stark still on a warm rock
light, fish and plant
trembling around you.
(First appeared in Speechless.)
copyright 2007
Jamie Asae
FitzGerald |