ROWAN WALLER

bathtub acoustics

you spoke in my ear and I heard 
how the rain became rain how we
became human under the great wetness 

I followed your 
crooked river to its origin 
thinking about water 
how it is most of 
what we are how we can stand 
on the backbone 
of this continent watching 
the waters flow 
to both oceans and still 
find ourselves thirsty 

I wanted to dive back into our wreck 
to lie on the bathroom floor 
feeling around 
for the little bones pulsing in your feet to melt
your small body into mine for the chance to 
meet 
the same salted swells 
who once tried 
pulling you out to sea in the west 

Rowan Waller (she/her) is based in Durango, CO and works as a rock climbing guide and educator. She works with groups of all ages to improve access to the outdoors and create safe places for future generations to express themselves. When she isn’t climbing, she can be found writing, reading, crafting, or dreaming up new places to travel to (@rowan_beth, on Instagram)