an introduction

she is sitting there on the surface of the sand
her back to you, gazing out at the promontory of knitted stone
turning, she raises one elegant brow
in quizzical contrast
like a grace note above sparkling eyes
the color of the winter sea
and leaning forward dropping
her chin delicately in acknowledgment
says, 'how-do.'

the long icy fingers tapping the keys
palms resting on the curvature of the spine
where tingles remain from yesterday's tattoo
she only speaks in rhythm
and prefers tactile explorations
tongue
taste
time
to telling
observations noted in the passage of all three
over the sibilant whispers of her mind

she is silent as a mermaid
soaring up out of the dark waves
and disappearing just as you think you see her
iridescent fin shining, a flash and she is gone
but she will tell all eventually
she is a treasure trove of life
like a pearl that evolves from a grain of sand
tender muscles massaging the point of irritation
sharp as bitter glass until it opens and
the oyster reveals a lustrous gift from the sea.


--sophie pie