The defense of a dam
has no place to speak
against the offense of rising waters
except in fear of breaking into open air

raise the dam to overpower the water
raise the water to overpower the dam

There is no highest goal for either one
but to give up will destroy the protection of what they hold dear
the beast of the air will drown.
the beasts of shallow waters will be washed away.

Unmake the wall
brick by brick
and pave a road to the spring of the river

so when your love's offense crashes through
and finally meets her tidal end
she may find her way back
dried and thirsty
for a chance to drink
of clean water given freely
untouched by the roil of flood or failure
© Jesse Selin