Hemispheres Apart


North America.

Winter crouches over fall

and will always have its way.

Today was that day.

As I walked to the waterfall thinking about ice

wishing it colder because I had heard

of non-gravity snubbing a mid-stream flow,

the rain invaded.

Through windblown pellets and stinging skin

fingers numbing and mood going sour

I decided ice might be too cold

for the waterfall, for me.

And I resented it:

the rain.

Water slowly down the drain in the rental cabin shower.

The steam has settled on mirrors and walls.

My back arches in prayer

to the Goddess of Heat

and other large things

and I am unashamed of my indulgence

in the elements of water and fire

and the earth and the air

from which they came

because after the rain

my body begged extended warmth

and this was not Australia.

I eyes-shut smile and whisper wicked

so much water

so far from home

disassociation key.