The Water Stops at Our Knees

Our moors were the beach grass
we ran into with such tenacity that it cut our feet
We always knew there was a tick lurking
that could make our mothers sad.

I wanted to keep you forever.
I liked that your mom bought your clothes for you, still,
And that you could fix my bike in two minutes when the chain slipped off

When I think of your face it melts into mine
As I wished it could when we were alone

Two stitches, two pearls.
I counted the lanes of your sweater as I traced my name over and over
And made you guess what I was writing with three tries

I wanted you to read my mind and reach out and grab me.
I wanted you to tell me that you enjoyed talking to me, and that you could do it for hours.

I pretended you had, anyways, to myself in the mirror—
Which is why your face morphs into mine sometimes in my mind.
I loved you like Catherine loves Heathcliff.

We weren’t compatible, because we weren’t people yet. We were children
exploring every sensation as if alone in the world
Together, without judgment.

The simplicity of those times was intoxicating.
I never felt like I was failing to keep my head above the water with you,
Because we had just become brave enough to wade past our knees in the ocean

Sometimes I wish that we had never grown up.
Sure, our lives are on their way to fulfilling—
But if you had asked me then, I would’ve been happy enough with you.

After all, I didn’t know what I was missing
And that was the best part!

Lily Ritch (she/her) is a first year from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is majoring in English, and enjoys writing poetry and painting. Lily hopes to keep writing for herself in the future, and is super stoked about this publication!