The high watermark

I live on the high watermark,

the narrow margin

between air and water.

I know people who live below it, 

who only know water.

They’ve evolved ways to breathe 

and maneuver through thickened matter.

And, I know people who live above it,

who only know air.

They’ve grown wings to travel

and found ways to make their own water,

though they still stare longingly at the surface.

The high watermark

is a tricky place to live.

I’m not as graceful as the air or water people, 

having to adapt to ever-changing levels,

not having enough time in either world to evolve.

While in air, I miss water,

and while in water, I yearn for air.

But living on the transition zone

allows me to understand 

a little bit about both.