You washed up on the shore one day
your eyes were closed when I saw you there
wrapped in fishing net
a sight I won't forget
You were still except for shivering
and I could feel my beating heart as I
held you in my arms
pushed back the netting from your face
and kissed your silent lips.
"Please pull me closer, I'll
mesh with you," I said
"With my hands I will untie the
fear you dread."
But I wasn't sure
if you could hear me at all
The ocean's tongue came in waves
to lick away your flaking scales and
wash them all away
from the sandy place you lay
the water's heaving wetness had
given you to me for keeping
and I could not reject
a fragile, soft and trembling gift
with thin and bluing lips.
"Please pull me closer, I'll
mesh with you," I said
"With my hands I will untie the
fear you dread."
But I wasn't sure
if you could hear me at all
The darkening sky clouds your face
and when the morning comes you might fade to gray
then the lights would dim for real
and I'll be sorry I was here
I untangled your broken frame from the net
and carried you away
from the jealous edge of shore
and engulfed you with my love
your gasping was the last sound
that I heard before you drowned
© Copyright 2004 Alyssa McFarland