Tuesday Poetry: “We are more than half water” by Helen Rickerby
We are more than half water
.
We are almost aquatic
Would it be that big
a step to dive back in?
.
In time we will breathe again
underwater; not us, perhaps
or even our children, but somewhere
along our line our lungs will creep
to the surface as gills
.
The water is always calling, drawing us to oceans
How else could crashing waves be calming?
Why else have I’ve taken off my shoes and walked
over hot sand, ready to give up my burning feet?
Why else would I step-by-step out into the chill sea
only my stretched torso warm-blooded still?
Why, after fighting it, I suddenly give in
dive under, float free
.
© Helen Rickerby
Featured on “…Anything, Really” with permission.
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Recently, I have begun featuring poems that are themed around the sea, at least in a broad sense. Also recently, I caught up with friend and former fellow Tuesday Poet, Helen Rickerby, and was delighted when she agreed to contribute a poem for the mini-series. I particularly like the way We are more than half water captures the connection so many of us seem to feel for the sea.
About The Poet:
Helen Rickerby has published four collections of poetry, most recently Cinema (2014). She is the managing editor of boutique publisher Seraph Press. Her next collection (working title: How to Live), will attempt to grapple with the big philosophical issues, but will not attempt to answer them.
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