Mourning Instability

Jade Poli

My legs hang

off the concrete

platform, the bubbling

blood of the ocean

shouting from below.

I thought I was falling,

the invisible ladder out

of my reach —

but I was wrong.

The pavement was wet

is still

covered in a gray moisture

dissolving the golden puddle

of my past tears.

I've mourned the loss

of swimming in a fountain

of strawberry cider —

Now I wait

until I crave another

fruity drink —

hoping it'll be

just as sweet.