Solace from Lake Superior

by Francesca West

The Great Lakes, 

on the rocky shore.

Couches arranged 

from large stones.

Calm, tranquil water 

as far as the eye can see.

Agates color the water 

and tumble smooth and clean.

Your judgments cannot reach me here.

Your speculations stay suspended in the air.

The dusk hugs my eyes, 

and the dark waters removed of light 

reflect the limitless sky

purified of what you think,

how you live, 

and how you’ll die.

I keep you suspended up 

while I hunker down.

Lay parallel with the ground.

I see the flaws of thinking 

swirl and mix 

with the orange and pinks,

and I let my toes 

slip into the water

and seek to keep 

my spirit clean,

Pure,

free of contaminants.

To keep myself

from rising up as raindrop dust

in the clouds 

that misery inhabits.