Imagine the Water

By Peter Lilly

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Imagine the water rushing,
Tugging at the loose soil cliff-face
Of sheets of black slate,
And grey rocks like knots
In a sanded beam of earth.

Imagine it running where you stand,
Changing the shape of the banks,
Demonstrating a frozen moment,
A photograph of scattering seed,
And the exposed roots of thirsty trees
Stunted by the summer’s dry.

Imagine that burnt book of leaves
Caught in the dark colander of barky roots 
Racing in the new rush
Of quickly falling rains,
Rushing waters,
Washing currents,
Drying stream-beds.

Imagine the force
Smoothing this stumbling wilderness
Into the peaty garden path
That beckons you take off your shoes
To feel the earth.

Imagine the steam rising from the burning bush
As it evaporates the downpour
And speaks of emancipation.

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Lilly is a British poet who grew up in Gloucester before spending eight years in London studying theology and working with the homeless. He now lives in the south of France with his wife and son, where he concentrates on writing, teaching English, and community building. His recent and forthcoming publications include East Ridge Review, Dreich, Green Ink Poetry, The Agape Review, Paddler Press and Ekstasis. His debut collection An Array of Vapour is now available here.

'Imagine the Water' features in Peter's second collection A Handful of Prayers, which is forthcoming with Wipf & Stock.