Bowery Books is proud to announce the release of BODY OF WATER
by Janet Hamill. On Sunday, Nov. 2nd at 6pm EST you can watch a live WebCast of the book release party.

Click here to watch the show!

Body of Water
Janet Hamill

Standing by a body of water.  Moving or standing still

in the dark green depths my soul finds its own level

Lost in a mirror of infinite margins.  Ever sounding
on and on.  Perpetual arms pull me under light’s
silver sheets tossed with wind and waves
where a coiled muscle gives up a perfect word
I come with only a fever to offer.  Far from the dried
carnations in summer’s throat and certain birds
that pierce the air with an agonizing cry.  I come
to wash and be clean.  To drown in my immensity

Baptized by a spray of distant sky.  In sympathetic
Response the surface repeats the hypnotic patterns
of my longing.  Again and again.  Swimming out
to the breaking pages before me with only
a parched fountain to offer.  Far from the sun’s
entrenched lullaby of insect music and the worried
sleep that parts with a film of dust and fear.   I come
to be carried away through the charitable doors
that open on the shore

Standing by a body of water.  Moving or standing still
In the dark green depths my soul finds its own level