Bee Vanunu

A Mariner

You were a mariner. I lived by the
water.
         You struck new sand for your master
and led me to the land where night tulips
grow.
        With your fish-hook you gouged out my throat
and surged through me under inky-green skies.

You bound me to these tenebrous sands
                                                                           and with ease set your sail for simpler lands.

In royal yellow robes, black petals in button-
holes, pilgrims tip knee to the violet
mountains,
                  humming vespertinals as they
shrink
           from my eyes. The horizon
closes,
           the waters
                              die.
                                     I hear the
                                          sailors’
                                                        lullaby.
                                                                    ‘I was a mariner, she lived by the shore
                                                                    We were together, we’ll be together once more.’

 

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