A BOY MADE OF WATER

he gazes
at a boy
made of water

a boy very
much like him
but a well away

a stone away
a splash away
an echo away

the boy made of water
disappears in ripples
the re-appears

gathers himself
together
in his round world

he stands on tiptoe
balances on elbows
on the well's rim

Maman is shouting
"NON. JEAN. NON!"
making him almost

topple in
and become
the boy made of water

she hits and kisses him
kisses him and hits him
tells him he is a good/bad boy

the well is boarded over
but he can still hear
the boy of water

calling him
calling him to come
and play