one foot in the sea

seaweed in my mouth

like dry lips

i'm not what it's meant;

illusion.

birdbath heartbeat, all

nervous. obscene.

as if eyelashes could cure

the taste of salt on my

gooseflesh

rippled and greedy and dry

like seawater,

mermaid-hair noose,

tugging at me all my life,

one foot in the sea.

one foot in the sea,

eyes on

passing clouds.