Ghosts of the Water

Walking through the woodsWith a hand poised to graspPulling all the green off all the treesStoring in palms for laterFor when the fresh air has been left behindWhere the walls are up, doors locked, windows shutWhere the taps have been left onAnd the water is rising, not just like the tideAnkle deep, making its way to calf levelWe will sink like stonesJoining the ghosts at the bottomWhile the water keeps flowingOnly the green will floatGhosts 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.