vanda miss joaquim
lying bruised and battered
on the shore
what is your story

the gift of a lover
given with a smile
with tender words whispered
from a heart filled with hope
and a body aching with desire

or perhaps
you carry in your memories
memories of one who has journeyed
beyond this life
ashes of their earthly body
scattered at sea
you in their wake

or perhaps
perhaps
you were carried to the shore
on the wings of the wind
plucked from your stem
floating to where
silver foam kisses golden sand
dancing this way and that
in the embrace of the ocean

where
finally
in the face of unrequited love
you relinquish your flawless beauty
to its graceful omnipotence