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.’