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the complexities of water

by Lauren Lisk

$the complexities of water i was taught in water to be fearless but take care to not dive too deep or swim too shallow and i wonder if that’s what i am doing with you as your fingers stroke me forwards and back until i mistake my tears for the ocean and my body for a ripple i can’t control. this time there is no lifeguard to shout ‘stand up put your foot down’ this time there is only – i was taught in class that when the ground is too dry it will flood and i wonder if that is what’s happening to me as i stare and stitch myself back up for you (even though i hate needles) as you take my last few drops of living until i empty and mistake a cage for your arms. this time i am too deep this time i can’t – i was taught in school that water moulds to what is solid and i wonder if that’s what i have become as i grow inwardly to make more space for you as the mirror becomes the only space i see myself as more than a fraction (for without you i am not whole) it seems that i am now walking on shells in an island only i can see so ‘you’ won’t crack and still my hands won’t pick up these pieces of me. this time is the last time this time I won’t – i am learning in life that wounds will heal with time and so i must wait letting salt wrung my haggard breaths head barely afloat and eyes the colour of a rusting fist as this time i reach for the lifeboat instead of your hand.$

About this poem

This poem is commended in August Challenge #3: Repetition & Imagery on Young Poets Network. This challenge was set and judged by Foyle Young Poet Ife Olatona in 2020.

Lauren Lisk

Lauren is a top 15 winner of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2020, and is commended in August Challenge #3: Repetition & Imagery on Young Poets Network.

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