Forian

I went to wander in with you
Into that sea blue calico
Into that black cold cauldron
I thought
There was no reason for you to go alone

It was not so long ago we hit ourselves heated
Nothing, out of the ordinary
But within the extraordinary
Horns and twinkles in the heart's eye
Do you remember our trinity?
Those were the days we loved monstered music
Yes, love if there ever was any...it was that day

Now bit down on bait like a horse bit down
One more hole for the fisherman
One more haul for the fisherman
And we went further down to resist
Under murky waves our hands forced apart
Like oysters ready to be eaten
The sight of each other distanced, devoured and done with

down
down
down...

...float away from tissued tethers
...float away from iris colored longings
...float away from electricity and bone-blood
...float away from the salt and from the earth

The music helped you swim on
Into the sea blue calico
Into the dark cold cauldron
The sirens carried you along
And brought you home with potent song

And the music helped me sweep back
I turned and felt that shark attack
But gentle memory brought one thing
That soothed my wounds and anchored sting
That night I heard your death bird sing...

You were waving, not drowning

© Rachel Lisi 2004

This poem appears in Homeground Magazine (UK)