Ghosts of the Water

Walking through the woods With a hand poised to grasp Pulling all the green off all the trees Storing in palms for later For when the fresh air has been left behind Where the walls are up, doors locked, windows shut Where the taps have been left on And the water is rising, not just like the tide Ankle deep, making its way to calf level We will sink like stones Joining the ghosts at the bottom While the water keeps flowing Only the green will float Ghosts of the Water is Elizabeth Lockwood's third book of poetry and illustrations. Her first two books of poetry, Waves of Stardust and Rain and Leaves, and her memoir, Little Something, are also available.