Aqua Vitae

From this
Comes all
Of limitless
Uncountable breaths

From this
All come
From fin
To limb

From this
Comes all
To upright
Thinking masses

To this
All can
Be returned
To nothingness


Ken Goree


I know aqua vitae is usually in reference to alcoholic spirits, but for the purposes of this poem I am taking it at its literal meaning; the water of life.