Her Favorite Word Was No: Cierra Martin

March 20, 2020 Kate Belew with Cierra Martin (New York)

Waiting always has two sides

But waves rarely feel that diverse

We have many questions about swimming

the lessons from sun-bleached bodies

Something about tides, whatever, whatever.

I don't remember if my mother would

Her favorite word was, no. 

When the wind spits sand at the sky

I feel a new kind of grateful

The seagulls glide, boldly

and I ask them 

If the weight of salt could crush a wing

And they say no, just like mom would. 

We fold our blankets.