Because what is life without it

The sea less glass than slow, fat
you know what I mean
and then you come

breathing soft undulation
a slight lift, slapping below as if to wake me
bringing my mouth to words 

Slap
Slap
Below

and I have to ask
when I had shaped these eyes to plover
puffin, these little ringed things enough

why bring the wind here
Erato
why ruffle the sea with her scent

as though I were a young man 
and time and the sea were merciful
and love not unreasonable love

Published in Stand, Issue 228, Vol. 18, No.4, 2021