A Boy In The Water Poem by RIC BASTASA

a boy
wades in the sea
on the shallower part
he dips his feet
and feels the rocks
beneath

the deep waits
danger lurks

the mother is complacent
and busy
with the weaving of her dreams

the boy goes deeper
and the mouth of the
sea waits
in hunger

the mother sings
to the clouds
as the father pounds the
earth for
his corn ears

the boy goes deeper and deeper
wading through the
water

the sea opens its mouths
and breathes
and becomes so silent

the mother weaves her dreams
the father pounds the earth for corn

the winds pass by
the clouds become heavy and gray
the tears of the sky
arrive

the waters of the river rise
the mother screams
the father stabs the earth
with the sharpness of his bolo

regrets and mourning
reign
the complacent village

the boy is now at peace
in the belly of the sea.