Let us go down to the water.

The way we used to go

All fingers and hands,

Lost in each other’s.

Let us run again

Where tall yellow grasses grow

by the edge of the water.

And we’ll lie for a little while,

Until your eyes close

against mine

And when I rise

I will see

my shape

In the earth beside yours.

And my shoes.

Just take me back to the water.

What happened that day?

I saw the smile as you slept

When I left

To see the place

where the children play

Down in the water.

It’s there on your face,

Your cheeks

Your neck

My chest

In the tubes invading my arms.

You are still trying to save me from the water.

          -Ariella Shapiro