June 8, 2020

How to Love a Mermaid by Darren Black

Replace reason with the green
Swells of algorithms
Foaming to meet your rocky perch.

The possibility of a tail
Scaled curves or eyes 
Urchin-colored, incalculable, awaits. 

A chance crease in the current
May gesture you in.
Don't offer shells!

There will be time enough to build
An altar.  Don't offer birds
Tiny lives that puzzle over

The silver hail of bullet fish below.
A driftwood crown 
Will not woo her 

To speak her name. 
Gather mists to scale your skin
Instead. Listen for gasps of waves.

Turn your back to the shore, the tongue 
Of smoke, uneven teeth of buildings--
The moon will choose you soon enough.





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