JACQUELINE JULES

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POETRY

Image by Portia Weiss

Low Tide

The moon pulls 
and the tides respond
accepting the next phase
as if transitions
should not be feared. 

Even the ducks on the bank
don’t look worried, waddling
in the mud on webbed feet.

But I can’t be so calm
watching your strength
slowly drain. 

We’ve been together
for three decades.

I want to know 
when the waves will return,
at precisely what time
and for how long. 

I envy the ducks
who keep moving
until they reach a place
where it’s possible to swim.