poem: I Would That I Might

I would that I might

be the water

that splits the mountainside

and scours the land

which cleans the body

and might still drown a man

undertow, airborne

rising from the ocean

and feeding the garden

raised by my own hand

would that I were

so dangerous and generous

which spills over eyelashes

when the heart sojourns

joy and loss and defeat

to be the water I drink

the storm above

flashrumbledownpour

dancing with the moon’s cue

ebbed and tided

to be so necessary, timeless

to take the path

of least resistance

but in the mirror

of the lake’s placid repose

is an animal, wild, mortal.

I am that Imight

let my desires rule me

eat when I’m hungry

take what I want.

When you are thirsty

you can’t drink me

and when you shine

your light upon me

I don’t evaporate.