AT SEA

I fall asleep with you and wake
Up in the middle of the night holding

A whale bone. The bedroom
Floor has turned into a blue black
Sea, where mermaids with
Sharp faces and angry

Mouths sing to me.
The song does not comfort

And the tune is off key.
I lie back down and

The same sea sinks into
My head. Where the bell of a bouy

Rings a strange clanging
Reminding me of your name.

So I listen hard, trying to find
You. The salt in my eyes making

It hard to hear. I fall back asleep dreaming
Of deep water, and the light above

Me fading.


Copyright c.a. leibow 2006