water takes you

reaching the water was
respite 
the sight of it
like arriving
at the door
of a friend
river
all rippled
i imagined
every wave caused by
the drops of our words
being absorbed
the hard words and soft ones
all leaving the same
temporary mark
hitting the ripple of the
last word and the word
before that
it is a warm start to december
every puddle liquid
the grass still green
illusions of spring
the air gusts hard at the corner
it roars through the near forest like
a train out of nowhere
racing out and
into the river
this is where i live
peace lined street
a gentle shush as the wheels turn
against wet asphalt
i wonder and have wondered
if
one has the eyes to see
is everyplace beautiful?
in brooklyn
the hood looked like third world
neighborhoods in brazil
iron grates on the windows
barricaded doors
menacing and oppressive
this
formed me
the nation
feeds its people fear then anger
to sustain them
to give a durable engine
educations of fear and consumption
religions of fear and dependance
because freedom and love are harder
harder to give
harder to hold
i pass the house
with tin whirligigs
one squeaks painfully
but the rest turn
magical in the silent air
accepting the push
like the water accepts us
being in love is about taking
as much as love is about giving
and water takes you
without questions
without judgment
without sacrifices
takes your heart
and your toes
your shins and knees
thighs and stomach
your neck and finally
your head.

s.roberts © 2011