Hard to imagine loneliness or melancholy
as I float in the water, staring down
at clownfish, darting blue striped grunts,
French angelfish, the swollen arms of starfish
four feet wide. I want to hide you in my arms again,
cradle your head, watch small bubbles form
between your lips in sleep. Protect you always
from the octopus hiding in the shallows, waiting
to make you stumble, fall to your knees with welts and tears.
I cannot keep the burning sun or sharks at bay
when you are half a world away. Or turn your face
from all the thin, hungry dogs that lie panting in the shade.
I cannot find a woman for you to ease the night
into warm folds, a song for you to sing with easy words.
The most I can do is call you up occasionally. Send you
a hat to wear next time on the beach.

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