Mentor
Heliophilia
Every night before bed,
She asked Her mother to tell Her
the story of Icarus:
the boy who got too close to the sun
but was able to conquer the wind.
His fate would sometimes give Her nightmares.
And when She awoke,
thrown from Her dreams and into reality,
She would still feel the sting of the sun’s rays.
Yet, She continued to ask Her mother
to tell the tale because
She too loves the sun.
And, occasionally, in the heat of the moment,
She will smell the scent of sea salt.
One night, when She awoke in a sweat,
She finally ran to Her mother
and explained what is was like
to love something that burns.
And Her mom replied,
Baby, You are not that boy, Icarus;
flight is within You.
Your wings won’t melt.
But Mama,
it still hurts.
Well then, Baby,
You just better remember
not to get too close.
Swimming Pools
Yes!
1, 2, 3–
the water moved up, She moved down
a deep breath
then,
the simplicity of pressured silence
a slight tumble and bobble,
the synchrony of two other bodies
causing their own mini tidal waves
Her eyes were closed tight
as the water braided its way
around Her eyelashes,
requesting entry
it was easy at first,
holding Her breath
but as with most things,
there is a limit
She knew She shouldn’t,
but as She ran out of air
She took some from the others
little by little
She emptied their lungs
into Her own
time stumbled on,
but eventually She decided to open Her eyes
despite the fact that
She knew it would burn
Her friends would have been still
if it weren’t for the
persistence of water,
floating limply through their blue world
it is often
precisely at the moment of victory
that one realizes
its true price
letting out a desperate blow,
She returned their air
their lungs sprang back to life
in exchange for the deflation of Her own
water soon followed
to remodel empty space
the last thing She remembered
was the light blue snakeskin
of the pool wall
only to be replaced by blue clouds
and the suns glow
water ejected onto the concrete
Her throat burned
are You alright? why didn’t You just come up for air?
is dying better than losing?
speech had abandoned Her
but She finally responded, the opposite actually. i’m sorry
sorry? for what? You’re the one who almost drowned
Sour Patch Kids
Ma’am, I knew it was wrong as I did it.
Now what were You doing, taking their air like that? Like You ain’t got no sense?
I don’t know.
Don’t lie to me, and look at me when You’re speaking, Girl.
Yes ma’am.
Now explain to me just what You thought You were doing. I told You not to use Your powers unless absolutely necessary. Not if You haven’t mastered them yet. That coulda killed ‘em.
Yes, ma’am.
Ma’am, I know I did wrong.
Humph, ‘You did wrong’. That’s all You can say?
I wanted to win, but I didn’t know that would happen.
I let my pride take holda again,
it’s a habit I plan to break.
You better.
If You don’t get control of Your pride, it will take advantage of You.
Yes, ma’am.
I know.
You plan to go over there?
Yes ma’am.
I plan to apologize.
Good.
Although, they don’t know what I did.
Well I do. And You do too.
When You go, bring over this pie. Their mama loves my cooking.
Everybody loves Your cooking.
Don’t get smart. I know what You’re doing, trying to butter me up. Well, I already did that myself, Vaseline and quick wit.
I know You did. I know Your heart.
It’s impulsive at times,
but vibranium to the core.
You’re right.
I’m better than that.
I know I‘m right. I’ve got wisdom in my bones. In a few years, You will too.
Yes, ma’am.