Tidal Testament

by atmitm

This piece is a poetic response to Cole Arthur Riley’s prayer “For what happens inside you as you stare at bodies of water,” from Black Liturgies.

tidal testament

waters
rest
ripple
crash                     no apology
splash
dip
swirl
                no warning
without
permission
needed
without
eyes

my hindsight lead me back to
tears that waver
a salty dry taste

i want to claim breath like the ocean
no body chambered thoughts
no blockage on the breeze
that washes over
and pulse forward

i am water
in a denied body
that has not mated with one another
like a parted sea
i can not see the future of our consummation
of my form
wet                                 can’t blame for being
heavy to drown
and weightless to grab
                           slipping through easily
time is spent soaked
time is taken to dry off
time is time with me like it’s meant to be
taken
not rushed


to take me in as i go
to not have to change
to just be
i
am
body of water
forever together
under the sun
lighting
and stars
under a god
that would rather me be whole
than torn apart