The Patron
Place women laughing on the shore,
coil snakes between their breasts,
as sailors swim the Hellespont
to pair the sea and sky in love.
Pour out all the deep, dark sea
that swam through her and him and me,
and lives not lived in history,
that float among the seaweed.
Unveil the curving dancer's wrist.
Shape all containers to her hips-
on kitchen shelves, flower stalls,
and all your sleeping vases.
Show evening belly tufted soft,
eyebrows hopeful - pitched and snug
or radiant with overgrowth
thoughts that curve life from symmetry.
Show it all - show it round,
ruled by moons, ruled by ground.
Remember men, wet with want
who swam across the Hellespont.
Do no less than all of that
and then you have my mural.