Erica Johnson

It wasn’t until I noticed the dog walkers returning
from the singular trail ahead of me
that I discovered there might be trouble at the turn –
a flooded path blocking any progress forward.

Cautious, I paused my walk
taking a seat upon a rock half-warmed
by the weakened winter sun which
had itself been washed out for several days.

And now I wonder is this really a problem
or an invitation to forge ahead, to bound boldly –
after all – had I not walked this trail to reconnect and
to find my way to a future less mired in grief?

And yet, while I know the flooded waters are winter cold,
I find myself removing shoes, socks, and sanity
as I stride forward into the flood – inches high:
Suck it! I shouted to the trees, but also to my tears

and washing away both my grief and fears
that had begun my day and were now flowing
off of me like the very flood I was fording across.
I am lighter for my foot bath and ready – ready for a new me!

Erica Johnson has spent her entire life navigating the different spaces of central Arkansas: from graduating out of the crowded halls of Mills University Studies High School to teaching in the much more rural Vilonia High School. Erica is a regular poet in online spaces such as EthicalELA and Teach Write. She spends her non-writing time taking in various anime and learning new games.

This poem appeared in What We Hold On To: Poems of Coping, Connection, and Carrying On — Winter 2026, published by The Chaos Section Poetry Project. We’ll be featuring each poem from the collection individually in the weeks ahead. You can read the full collection or download a free PDF of the chapbook here.