Water Inside Water
three poems
Water Inside Water We used to bathe our babies in the sink. Sometimes, the 19th century still finds its way into the 21st. We tested the water against our wrists: warm enough to be comfortable but not cold enough to cause shivers. Our boys were so small in those days that we could've carried them one thousand miles across any difficult landscape. But there was no reason to travel that far. We didn't climb mountains to receive wisdom. We only needed to carry our babies from crib to sink for their daily baptism.
Retrospective Were you your father's remote control? Did you sit by the television and change channels for him? Did you grab his beers from the fridge and set them in his hand as he waited on the couch? He loved you. He wanted you near. He wanted to give you all the water, air, and ground. He wanted to adore you out loud. But he didn't know how.
Preachify Maybe every prayer should open with "Dear God, I'm a broken fool who's equal parts kind and cruel." But that's not how humans work. We're liars who'll swear that dirt is water then we'll swear the reverse is true. We think our opinions are scripture written on linen and silk. We claim that our claims are modest but, in our theologies, we're taught that faith leads to fame. We're pilgrims looking for applause. And, yeah, here I am, in my cloak, pretending this poem is a sacred vow. Dear God, I'm an arrogant fool who wears his foolishness like a crown.
Beautiful. Absolutely. Preachify hits just right. If we could only accept our own ignorance, our weaknesses, and recognize we are cruel and kind. Thanks, Sherman for these poems today.
We're pilgrims looking for applause… um, yes, true, but occasionally, some pilgrims are worthy of it! 👏👏👏