“Suppose that particular night never happened, the way a wave crashing ashore empties itself and trickles back in separate communities, mingling yet aloof, a diminishing cortege.”
Saltwater
What if you close your eyes
and your throat relinquishes
the morning’s bright
fingers, freed from bruises.
Suppose that particular night
never happened, the way
a wave crashing ashore
empties itself and trickles
back in separate communities,
mingling yet aloof, a
diminishing cortege. What
is the question? Take this
spoon. Fill it with saltwater.
Upend it into the pail. Observe.
“Saltwater” was first published inNine Muses Poetry in May 2018.
Just One Take 