These Hazy Days

Fragile Legs of Deer

I am not a woman of many words.

I have been hurt.

I have cried until I can't breathe.

I have bowed my face

before forgiveness that will not come.

I have spent a moment too long

submerged in the bathtub.

I have had moments when I cannot move.

But I have also woken

in the morning

and felt sunlight on my face.

I have floated on my back

in cool gray water.

I have risen,

and I have fallen.

I have found salvation

in golden air and green leaves

and the fragile legs

of young deer,

and in the way two hands

can hold each other.

I have realized there are buoys

in the deep end.

I will stay above,

whether I would like to

or not.