The Awakening of Oceans

breathe in, breathe out

the sharp and humid tang of

brilliance flashes over lulls

in breeze-blown splashes

measuring seconds in heartbeats

* * *

I blink echoes of light from eyes

dazzled by curls of water

and the seas whisper up my toes

my calves, my knees, my ribs

my shoulders, my scalp, my—

under, I open eyes stung by

a blue and white kaleidoscope

of shadows crowning my descent

in velvet greens, a mermaid legacy

of underwater samba

* * *

chest tight with denial, I look

away from the wavering aqua and

dive upwards

ears popping with the suddenness of

cajoling birds, rev of car engines up the street

* * *

but the blue sparks around me

like fairy lights on Christmas morning

anticipation sweeter for the wait

a gift—

breathe in, breathe out