Except it didn't. Far
from the deep yearning
of gravity wells, water moves
in trajectories guided by breath,
by inertia without boundaries.
Vapor spills
from her eyes,
from the pores that nest in her skin,
from her open mouth.
Death in this vacuum
is a dry thing,
a desert that drinks
forevermore without ever
attaining equilibrium
measured in minute particles of
moisture.

Yoon Ha Lee decided in 3rd grade that she was going to be a writer; her stories have previously appeared in F&SF. She was born in Houston, TX (but lacks the accent to prove it), has lived in South Korea, and is currently in Cambridge, MA with her husband. To contact her, email requiescat@cityofveils.com.