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Portrait of My Father Climbing a Waterfall

Brittney Acosta
issue seven

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My father’s pale skin gleams, marble 

in the sun, as he climbs past the rush 

of river straight toward the blue sky

His shirt and shorts are drenched, damp hair hanging 

over his eyes, and still, he climbs, large hands gripping

wet rock, biceps curling, calves flexing 

as he pulls his body up the slippery boulder,

 through pouring rapid, 

 the fall waiting below

 

And then, he ascends, standing tall at the height of the cascade, 

a man illuminated

 

This is what I will remind him of when the radiation begins, 

when his body grows frail, fine muscle atrophying 

to softness

 

Here is a body that has traversed 

roaring rapid and slick stone,

 Here is a body that would not fall                 to the rocks, 

Here is a body that will rise 

and return to the hurtling water-rush of the triumphant  

summit

 

About the Author

Brittney Acosta is a Cuban-American poet born and raised in Miami, Florida. Her work has been recognized by Phi Theta Kappa’s Florida Region and Florida International University. She currently lives in Miami, Florida, where she is an MFA student in poetry at Florida International University.