Deep in the black velvet ooze
At the bottom of the saltwater cavern,
I found her weeping for her children.
Her weeping makes her monstrous.
Mothers warn their young ones away
And secretly worry
about where choices have led them–
About the salt in their blood.
I see her
Raw fingers raking the sludge,
so long from giving love.
My hands ache and sweat;
I taste my death but cannot look away.
Her hollow eyes focus on me and the time is fulfilled.
I kneel in front of her,
Take her hands to my breast,
And kiss her wide mouth long and full.