Water to the Sea

Andrew brought water to the sea. Water
to the sea. Andrew stood next to
This Body. All very ordinary
and yet
how could it be?

1.
The day was grey, the air was thick
with sighing and seasick.
Andrew searched the horizon for Father.
Passersby were weary to see
a lone child on the beach.
He was just a boy, but still
the eldest of eight.
He had to act a man,
but he was afraid.

2.
Father arrived with his freight,
docked and waved to his son
to help him to land.
Andrew raced forward to meet.
He pushed an empty wheelbarrow
for Father to unload his stock.
Andrew grew taller with
interest to find what Father
had brought from his travels at sea.
It was mostly
liquor and adult stuff of no use.
What did you get me?
Andrew thought but did not say.
But like Father read his mind
there are socks for your siblings
Father proclaimed.
Andrew counted fourteen.
Divided by two
was seven pairs. For the second time today,
Andrew was afraid.

3.
On a sailor's wage, Father
had little to his name, and since
Mother was gone, there was too little
to feed eight mouths
but plenty of shame.

4.
Let's have a talk man to man
said he. You, as my eldest have a
great responsibility. I command you
to select a sibling. The one
the least useful. The one
the least to offer the world. And
give them to sea. But
Andrew said, they are great swimmers
for I taught them myself. But
Father said, if you take them far
and just leave them be,
they should go quickly.

5.
Andrew thought of his family.
Mary sews their buttons and
scrubs the grout lines.
Adam scares the crows away and
Elijah is kind.
Elizabeth collects useful bits
from the bin and
Matthew pushes them to the sky
on the swings.
Ada takes less and never wants more.
Noah locks the door.

6.
Andrew walked with his Father
To where sea became river.
Along the river, Andrew cried
tears and brought water
to the river. Water to the river
to the sea.
And Father said:
You have a decision to make
you have until end of day,
less it is you back to the water
I shall take.

7.
Andrew followed Father along
the river. The river made of
water that brings water
to the sea. They crossed the field
the field dressed in winter
which come May would be
wearing wildflowers.
He thought of Elizabeth
who believed in fairies
though she'd soon understand
their letters were forged
by his own hand.
He thought of Ada
who was just turned three.
When he fed her
her eyelids slid and her whole
baby's body went limp, lazy
like a bumble bees.

8.
They came to the door,
Andrew and Father.
On the door's other side were seven
siblings asleep. Their bodies
were curled close together,
to punctuate this story
seven
question marks.
Only Elijah was awake
to say hello, to represent
the whole of the kin.
Andrew went soft
for the boy inside of him.

9.
Father nodded to Andrew
And went upstairs to bed.
Andrew looked upon his brothers
and sisters and finally decided
it should be He who bled.

10.
The blood flowed to the river,
the river flowed to the sea.
All of it was water,
none of it was He.