Tributary

Lucille Clifton wrote
"the Mississippi empties into the gulf
the gulf into the sea"

Maybe that gulf
came up country
and carried home
out into the ocean.

In math, distance is never negative
but the gulf
leaves my body
standing water tepid and
slick with frog eggs.

Lucille wrote none of the waters empty anything
and carry yesterday around on their white tipped backs.
true, the lakes are all full and the rain still comes,
but the water came and scooped me out
left guppy breathed.

Lucile Clifton wrote all rivers are water and all water is the same,
but I can't help but feel like the mud cat spawns in my blood,
that saw grass and blues sway in my lungs
that even with the gulf between us,
the Mississippi still takes a detour;
Makes sure I can still see the edge.