Fish and Shushan

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sometimes brave creatures need

to hide in shells underwater 

 

this is the story of a seaturtle and waves

and a moon who hopes for an invitation

through the neckhole of a shell

 

for though moonbeams may go where they will

they are also very polite

 

there is room she says!

in in in!

 

two soft bodies inside one hard shell

and it is very cold outside

we must keep warm

there is a door 

where the neckhole is

we can close it

then slowly it will get warmer 

there will be steam

 

a moonbeam and a turtle safe inside their shell

the moonbeam may take shape now and substance

to become a moonbeing

and the turtle says

i will bite you gently

like a shower of confetti mouths

a tickertape parade of hearts

not very aware of anything 
except the pale surface of the moon 
and distance collapsing 
with both hands touching 
with eyes looking at eyes looking 
and your ears tingling at the sound 
of your name in my mouth

 

 

and on the very next morning

she said

 

hullo little moon  
the sun is setting softly on the day 
as a lavender sky nudges it into the water 
there is a star 
just one 
the others are shy 

it's Friday night

people will be over 
soon i will be cooking 
chinese noodles and tofu 
bean curd puffs and coriander root  

my shell is better with you in it 



and the moon felt her 

stomach falling 
falling 
falling

 

and she said

 

in a land of bad dreams I will remind you 
that some sharks have very small teeth 
or else are very small sharks 
and the chances of them eating you is slim 

 

and if you don't ever swim

you can never drown

and will always be safe



then she said 

i can't name the stars, don't know constellations 
either, but you are closer than the sun to me 
and when astronauts look out at the earth, 
when they connect our dots, 
they'll say "look, over there, 
those two stars? a constellation. 
the arrow through earth's heart" 

you can't drown in space 
it's a scientific fact 

then together they said softly

 

around us the moon is floating 

kiss me, you silly girl

kiss me, you silly girl

 

somewhere out there is the gentle whispering of stars 
and the crashing of waves 
and the low groan of a moon moving through trees

 

tiny kisses springing from 
the mouth of fishes 
covered over knees 
and wishes

Copywrite 2008 Fish and Shushan

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