Reciprocity

by Anar Rajabali

I throw a rock into the sea
and watch it skip only once
radiating sudden circular lines outwards
like the sun that tenderly plays diamond light
on the water’s surface
which quickly disappears back into smoothness, undisturbed—
and I imagine that rock sinking slowly into the mysterious depths
travelling far down
and down
through the salt, seaweed and sludge
landing swiftly on the floor.

Somewhere in that murkiness
an old fish awakens in an alcove
opening her heavy eyelids
moving her tail
ever so slightly
moving the sea
up to me
again.

— from Juniper Volume 2, Issue 3