Mirror and Fountain*
I ascend to surface
the beating heart of a liquid drum
I ascend the lengthening wave
as it crests above me
I ascend with the aphonic effect
of blue-green algae
pacific in its virulent calm
I ascend in isolated breaths
molecules dismember in my lungs
I ascend in starlight
the planetary refraction of waves
and the slow eclipse of the moon’s unconscious eye
I ascend to represent
the evolution of seen and unseen
beyond the politeness of color
transparent yet perceived
filling with the conscious invisible
a hollow amorphic expanse
I ascend the tranquil bubble
squeaking out of the abyss
at the center of the galaxy
I ascend in fear of being a rendition
of human insignificance
fear of the restless reactive force
destructive and blinding
that gives fault a proper noun
gives seance instead of prayer
recalling the misfortune in latitude
that which resonates within me
I ascend the majesty of the crow’s iridescent feather
masking an elaborate dance
I ascend with rhythmic tongues
crickets singing in lulling hums
the dark peripheral origins of love
I ascend, I ascend
©Rachelle Edwards 2020
*a pastiche of Janka Stucky