I am placid and serene
A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
an oasis in the desert of your mind.
I am quiet and secure
modest and demure
clear, despite my brine.
I am murky and snoring
ignored yet ignoring,
a guilty thought you try to suppress.
I reek of the stench
of a place without breath
it is here that life has digressed.
I am aggressive and wrathful
violent and savage,
I destroy lives and wreak havoc on people.
I am loud and unforgiving
I insist upon killing
I am cruel for no reason, and lethal.
Without me your mouths would be dry
your crops would heave a regretful sigh,
I provide necessities for survival.
I meander through channels
to those from whom I am demanded
the people rejoice at my arrival.
I am a sign of sadness
but also of gladness,
a mixture of salt and me drips from your eyes.
The tears may come in a rush
or perhaps simply wellup
but I’m there throughout all of your cries.
I am kind yet cruel
blunt yet no fool,
a juxtaposition in my various forms.
From harming and disarming
to charming and promising
I am a reminder that there is nuance at every turn.
I am water.