Melting Layer

I wish for the ice to fill the puddles
before walking onto the fragile layer.

Soon I am stepping slowly towards the frozen slate
wondering about what's below,
Searching for glitches, Underneath,
I feel the crunching ice run up my leg.
Tonight I will stay on its melting layer.

But for now I try to stay above what
this layer must be holding back,
the palms of my hands scraping as I grasp the surface.

Original poem

Billy Collins

Walking Across the Atlantic

I wait for the holiday crowd to clear the beach

before stepping onto the first wave.

Soon I am walking across the Atlantic

Thinking about Spain,

checking for whales, waterspouts.

I feel the water holding up my shifting weight.

Tonight I will sleep on its rocking surface.

But for now I try to Imagine what

this must look like to the fish below,

The bottoms of my feet appearing, disappearing.