Eleanor Henderson

Water

I have heard you tinkling as you melt and fold into a lake,
Crashing as you hurtle from a cliff.
Murmuring as you lap against a beach,
Silent in the night as you mirror heaven –
Forming a solid wall of stars in lake and sky.

A drop of you is glistening on my skin.
If you could speak, where would you begin?

You speak from within my body.

I am older than old, and younger than today.
I filled you and wrapped you when you were in the womb.
I fill you still: contained within your skin
You are the very ocean hung on a frame of bones.

I give you life; I cleanse and heal. My recompense?
You pollute and stain my innocence.
Fully unwilling I poison my denizens.

You are a brief thing.
When you are gone, I am.

If you could hear, you would have ceased.
My language is not yours;
You cannot hear what I say.
Speaking is a human thing. Good day.

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