Fall

Katrina Kaye

It is important
to know
how to fall.

The ability to
stitch a net out
of eyelash and
torn paperback,

to catch,
to survive,
to go on,

is more vital
than perching
impassive on
mountain peak

or slumbering
in the shade
of pine tree.

It is important
to know how
fast the world
is set to change.

and yet recognize
all the ways it stays
the same.

One man’s action
is limited to the
reach of his arm.
His fall,

only a tragedy
to those who
stood by and

could not help.
Only a tragedy
to those who did
not see him

rise again.

“Fall” is previously published on Spillwords (2023)

Wall

Katrina Kaye

It changed
slowly at
first,
a scratch,
a crumble,

then
chipped stone
fell. Then
rot grew
darker. Then
moss crept up
foundation.

I stood
back. I
could only
creep farther
away to
find a
safe spot,
to protect
myself

(I was
always so
pretty at
protecting
myself)

from the
impending
tumble
of all
we built.

“Wall” is previously published in Trouvaille Review (2022).

Katrina Kaye

start with the ocean

the wet sand
hard underfoot

the waves seeping in
soft foam sticking
to ankles as
the water pulls us

start with an
overcast day in
northern california

shirts untucked

gulls coasting
high above on a
salty chill

arms around chest
to secure warmth

start with toes
curling and uncurling
embedding small flakes of
broken down life
in the crevasses
between nail and skin

we can begin by allowing
the wind to pull us forward

instead of letting the earth
hold us back

“begin again” is previously published in Kelp Journal (2024) and the chapbook no longer water (2024).
To view or order no longer water from Echobird Press, click here.