Emily Bilman’s most recent poem to appear here was “Father” (March 2018). 

Nocturnal
By Emily Bilman

The new moon illuminated the lake
Like a silver bread plate. I left the dinner

Table on which we dined on lamb, raisin-rice,
Feta and melon to swim. As I breast-stroked,

The cool water caressed me. The water’s
Weight hoisted my body heftlessly, propelling

Me forward. Like an agile eel, I swam through
The layers of cool water along the olive groves,

And mastics. The clear lake-water cleansed me,
Elating me with its deep dun density.