Oceans

in your skin
bodies of water
portals to a world
turbulent and tranquil
I could peer for many hours
and picture the marvels beneath
below the lustrous glass
that keeps presenting my face
I want much more than my own reflection
the bewitching and the terrifying wonders
exploration of this massive totality
so I dive into your seductive blue
without a thought of my return

as I plunge deeper
your waters grow dark
but I swim fast for treasures
not forgetting what risk may take me
or devour a punctured limb
a vicious frenzy may feed
on my parts that have not yet healed
and leave me bleeding for more
but I hardly feel frightened
as I dream of your corals and gold
and of the elusive fathoms
that light will scarcely bless

I seek out the Hadal realm
where my sight is impaired
to rip open your unyielding floor
I discover your tender fauna
and our rich fortune
my own share of gilded ware
and befriend the ghoulish beasts
I'm not afraid of these creatures
they look much like mine
and all but their teeth are tame
so they won't inflict me now

in you, love, I cannot combust
in your cool ebbs and ripples
where I flow in a merging, mellow tide
to later surface in weary calm
pull me and drift me from my erratic ways
for only pieces of this day
so I don't lose myself to you

whispers of meandering light
remind us that the moon has arrived
and that it's time to return to air
where my heavy heat consumes
so I will have to cool myself
and find beauty
in my own oceans