Salt/Fresh- Foreword

FOREWORD: “Salt/Fresh,” Poems about the water

         My book, “Salt/Fresh” is a collection of poems written simply about water. It does not pertain simply to the ocean; it does not pertain only to lakes, or pools.  This book is about all types of water, from the water in your sinks to the eighty-percent chlorine in your pools.

            For, don’t we all have stories to share about water? I know I do.  I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with water, with stories backing up other sides.  I’ve been caught in terrible riptides, choked and slapped around by water.  I’ve been blinded by chlorine, and stung by jellyfish.  But I’m also in love with the ocean. I have an inexplicable connection with the water, one that sends me swimming all the time.  A connection that gets me called “mermaid,” and “dolphin.”  A connection that makes my favorite animal an octopus-

            And my connection with the ocean is one I’m pretty sure we all have. Sure, you might not feel it the way I do.  But after all, water is the thing that keeps us living.  You can only live a couple of weeks without water.  Your own body is up to 70 percent water. 

            So whether you read these poems while bored, or you read these poems while yearning for a beach vacation-these poems have a specific meaning.  If I’ve done my job, you should be able to relate to these poems in some way.  These poems should evoke memories, or at least do something.  If they don’t, either these poems suck or I’m just really weird and believe that I’m not the only one who has this weird pull towards water. You can decide which one it is.