Here is the girl
with the fish
hook in her

heart , heart skipping
every leap year.
Skin slippery like a fish

Shimmering as if caught
in a net of stars. Her body’s
dull thump against the side

of the ship sending Thank You
cards to everyone she’s loved.
The fishermen come in from the sea

bellies full of insomnias,
while their women wait
on docks playing lush lullabies

on mandolins they carry
in their chests. Tonight their men
will dream of drowning as they rock

them to sleep, Their women’s
backs gently thumping
against the headboards