If I Were Water and You Were Air

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The Prompt: For this week’s writing challenge, take on the theme of H2O. What does it mean to be the same thing, in different forms?
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If I Were Water and You Were Air

I used to be restless water—
only the froth and currents
of a moving life.

Now I am still water,
sinking down to where
I can be found
by anyone willing to stand quietly
and look.

Is it true that moving water never freezes?
Is it true that still waters run deep?
Is it true that we are wed in steam?

“What if, caught by air,
it never lets me go?” I ask.

“But even water
turned to air
must fall at last,” you say.

“And what if I fall farther from you?”
I say. “Or what if I never again find banks
that open to contain me?”

I used to be swift flowing water.
Now I am a pool that sinks me deeper every year.
So deep, so deep I sink
that on its way to find me,
even air may lose its way.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_writing_challenge/ice-water-steam/

12 thoughts on “If I Were Water and You Were Air”

  2. nonsmokingladybug's avatarnonsmokingladybug

    Beautiful…very deep. I wish you a very joyful and happy New Year. You know, I wish we would live closer. I would love to go on a walk on the beach with you, or just sit there watching the sunset. Your beach pictures remind me so much at Italy. I thank you for that. I always smile 🙂

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    1. calensariel's avatarcalensariel

      Unanswered questions are either a treasure or a curse. Ranier Maria Rilke wrote to a young poet: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves…” I wonder if anyone ever manages that.

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      1. lifelessons's avatarlifelessons Post author

        Hi calensariel! Actually, a beach philosopher friend of mine maintains that none of us really want to know the answers. The fun is in trying to ascertain them. I think I agree. And, it keeps everything open to discussion. Judy

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  5. calensariel's avatarcalensariel

    “…what if I never again find banks that open to contain me?” I love that thought. Someone told me once I was afraid of myself because I felt I had too much muchness for most people. My anxiety about that feels much the same as what you wrote. That was a beautiful poem.

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    1. lifelessons's avatarlifelessons Post author

      Thanks, calensariel. I love it when something I write strikes a chord. To some degree, everything said is just a “test.” Finding people who agree with it makes it closer to the truth. Happy New Year. Judy

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