Where the sea-gulls hang in the sea
and chatter always

Where the water is fresh enough
to thump in your heart
like a new body
shaking when you leave

Where they still sing and wait for your return
where we find life and shape and humour
in this life
like a hand in the dark that’s a friend
guiding your palms over your work in the
different homes that guide you in
and away
as green life shatters against
the waves

And jack-knifes when you take your eyes off
for just one second or ounce
of time
of all the pearls that have been found
by the men and women who know how to dive down
of the cost we hang around them when polished
and no longer wet
of the joy carrying of them to the person
you found them for

A gift
rolls back to the waves
to where it was taken
in the smile
upon the neck of that person

Looking good enough to dive back for
and eat on a perfect neck
anytime
they’re worn
and seen by the warm hands
that placed them
just
*there