Types of Still, Alexandra Crew

Types of Still

Alexandra Crew

Head resting on my left arm, the sun pales the graphite sky, the ocean begins to gleam.

I roll to the right, my arm scraping sheets chilled like an ocean too low in temperature to sustain life.

I return to face the ocean, sit cross-legged on the gray floor, and light incense pulled from beneath the bed.

Eyes closed, palms up on knees, I breathe. Meditation smoothing the surface of my mind to mirror the ocean, silver and sublime.

Bells chime, returning me to my body, my morning. I call Keira’s name. Claws click and echo offdawn-lit family portraits still waiting to be warmed

by the missing, matching bodies:

daughters and a husband

imagined. Leland Quarterly | Summer 2020