Tide

I intended to be the last and first forever.
I put my two hands together

and forced the sand between them
in the shape of a body:
a woman, rose-hipped. Dune-
knuckled. Navel like round singing.

She crumbled in an hour.

It's why I tried to sing for you
in my hoarse voice: I wanted to say

how your skin’s down so moved mine,
you merman:

you washing out to sea, you driftwood,
you blue day dolphin.

Lightsey Darst