Child’s Shoes

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water-stream flow,____flow,__________flow
me walk,______walk, water rises-to-my-chest

water-rushes-against-me
______–(unrelenting, sharp,
______________and terribly unexpected)

water rushes, rises_____-feel shoes begin-to-tear
me slip (like a fawn),
_______________________(desperate)
patience (pained resolve), me push-forward

walk__________tear_________walk
feel hole growing,______growing,
step — foot push-through-hole
(panic)

step — shoes swept-away
float-up,______roll-on-the-surface
float-behind-me

me turn,______-look-over-my-shoulder,
watch dear shoes drift-away
______-so far,_-disappear-into-distance
____________________________so far

______________reaching (mourning)…
now must turn-around, walk?

______-look, green water stretch-to-the-horizon
but alone must walk how-far?

Nathan Tinker

Nathan Tinker is a poet, interpreter, and translator. His creative work has appeared in The Southern Quill. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), much of his writing explores the complexities of growing up within and between the Deaf and hearing worlds. Drawing on ASL syntax, visual storytelling, and the conventions of ASL gloss, his poetry delves into themes of belonging, separation, and the struggles of navigating a precarious intercultural identity. He lives in Rochester, NY.

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