Excerpt

I step in.

If I can’t do it here

it will never happen.

Water rises

over my ankles

and my skin gets tight.

I wade further

and try to read this rocky river bottom

with my feet.

I walk

until I am a half-girl

gliding across the surface.

It's okay to fall back.

My hair spreads, holding on

until it can’t anymore.

All I can manage is a shallow breath

before

Water closes

like a river window over my face.

My arms and eyes are wide open and

I flood with relief

seeing them now in the clouds:

Those air castles in all their glory

just as I saw them before.

I am not afraid.

This river will let me go.

I know.

Rising

slowly,

water comes with me

as I come up

for those castles of air.

I breathe.

I'll be okay.

I am okay.