When He Sleeps

When he sleeps at sea
He dreams only underwater

I have seen many things
My breath is gone, strength
Gone. But I remember,
Spirit of the sea – I must
Reach the deep bed.
Remember mercury

Dreams of lovers with
Webbed feet, birthing
Faces with porous lungs,
Dreams of the bottom
Of his soul – bedrock
Perfectly smooth
And desolate, clean

Little pearls hang in
The mouths of boys.
This is the way of his people
Congregated like fish,
Ragged spears
Contour a life.

I shrug off the present and
Kick my feet, boundaries
Amoeba green, slowly
Melting away