By Madison
Date: 17 May 2000

singing to a mermaid

I am the white noise
of an ivory ocean shankh 
spreading through your every limb 

before the sound of 
rain stirring morning sand
before the sound of 

wet-nosed dogs 
turning in their 
pallets at the door

But you, you are passion
in a sleepy nocturne
an Italian lute,  

a Spanish guitar -  
your instruments press
against the bulwark

touchable swells of sound that 
pull me in like sonar 
wrapped in sea-foam fleece and  

hidden in my painted 
music chest, verde-black 
with locks of filigree

You wait beneath the bow wave
Sounding, calling, every 
deep vibration from within.




M Madison
17 may 00




::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
   Shankh is a conch shell, said to announce the 
     victory of good over evil when it is blown. 
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::