This Isn’t Really Drowning: Brian Van Remmen

May 12, 2020 Kate Belew with Brian Van Remmen (Buffalo, New York)

Imagine this day built from 

Dreams that haven’t happened,

like clay at the bottom of a river 

or shale waiting on the shore. 

Whatever happens in wading

reveals nothing above the neck

but the hands break and go below like

wasted lovers waving in waistbands.

This isn't really drowning, but instead 

sends sunlight shafts in conditioned drafts

Imagine this day crafted from

the effort we expend to live the dream

and what if instead of a river it's a road,

where there's no daylight just the moon

and the moon is laughing at us

because it knows how far we have to go.