1st float - Another World
A slow walk into the water,
awed by the slow rise of the brine flies
Like a murmuration of the smallest starlings
Settling into the stillness
A mirror reflecting back all that is
Brine flies covering my body
The sweetest sensation
What a surprise

2nd float - A Prayer
A slow walk into the water,
awed again by the slow rise of the brine flies
Finding my way onto my back -
my enormous belly on top of the water
Finally buoyant, finally weightless
The lake generously holding both of our bodies
An offering of my love, my heart
A prayer for ease
24 hours later, my prayer answered
A baby girl birthed
Reciprocity

Rachel is a student, a witness, a worshiper, a citizen and a devotee of the Great Salt Lake. She's been making the pilgrimage since she moved to SLC in 2006 and her little one was nearly born on the lake in 2009.