swimming away from the island of words
I encountered the language of fish
the coral in easy conversation
the upward gliding light
mermaid or angel I thought to myself
not realizing it was my reflection
calling me back to the surface of things
in the green glades of the sea it is written
the sea of Hans Andersen I think
although he never spoke to me directly
too busy with the fireworks over the castle
all his fairytale destiny. I owe him everything
but not my soul.
I could swim back.
I could remember my former tongue
the special words, sung only by my mother.
but no one is there anymore
to weave the pearls into my hair
and I sob on the mythical rocks
and have turned to stone.
mary angela douglas 7 july 2023
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