from

my first world
wet with
weightless suspension
in black water
that broke
over spread thighs
howling past timeless screams
terrified of what might come
out of the silence.
water splashes further
than single conception
puddling back to shallow seas
preceeded me
I was a whale
a white beluga baby
birthed squirming red
smacked and screaming
stubbornly struggling
into arid sterility
knowing wordless fear
reaching for the rope of life
to stillness and safety
lacking strength of hands

they cut me free

now I am a red fish
in thrall to water
a safe and easy slavery

but
early afternoons make me curious
sniffing burns my lungs
warm shallows look to shore
wondering about two lovers,
who only come wednesday afternoons
to tangle like the willow tree
that hides their nakedness
with waves from different bodies

the air is sharp
their cries are deep
divided legs
become my own