naiad

I am a splash and gurgle, playful like a cool drink and it is all spring and wind through the reeds until you drown in me. I am all ripple, all ribbon hair leaking outward into a halo around my face. Drifting backward while you think I am smiling. And I will tell you to swim a little closer just to see you at the drop off, when the water is past your waist and you did not know the lake ran this deep. I have watched brave men sink like rocks and float like logs, watched them breathe fresh water and surrender. And they have thanked me before the end. You can build river rafts to ride me, can build ships and fleets and navies and try to calm my skin, but I will hurricane swallow you down. I am vast and dark and ancient. And I am not afraid of you.