The day I was born I walked into the Great Lake.
The cold drove my feet into my legs.
My legs into my stomach.
My stomach into my throat.
My throat into my head and out the ends of my hair.
And I tried to float but I sank.
Like a rock.

And I made a little rock sound that sounded like -
"Help."
And the voice bounced back -
"Move," she said.
"Move with the curve of the world.
Wear yourself out against the road and air
till you're dust on your arm,
till you float like a leaf.
It's a big love you're looking for," she said.

Then I was on the bottom of the lake
and I was crawling out.
My eyes are open and my heart's on my sleeve.
I am moving.
Looking for the love of my life.

"Quake"

Melanie Marnich