A Love Poem to the Sea

I painted the wall blue and imagined I was back with you.

I gave you my troubles.

You caressed them, smoothed them, kissed them until they were softer,

and I could bear them.

You offered them back to me wrapped in green silk.

I painted the wall blue and daydreamed I was back with you,

Looking out I saw the moon dancing upon your back,

leaving a path of froth with every footstep.

I stuck out my toes to touch but I felt nothing.

I could not see the sand so I painted a thousand grains of yellow.

I could not see the birds so I painted them too, white dots hovering above you,

but I could not hear them.

I painted the wall blue and hoped one day I would be back with you.

I gave my troubles to the city for a time,

to hold, to transform and to keep safe.

Until we can be together again.

Dreaming Beauty

I slept for a hundred years before you arrived,

With your sweet nothings and dragon by your side.

I thought I had locked the tower doors and sealed the window shut.

I thought the thorns outside were sharp enough to keep your sort out,

but you were determined to interrupt my slumber.

For a hundred years I soundly slept.

All of that time I dreamt.

I dreamt I was the commander of a fleet of fairies.

I dreamt that I was a pirate whose presence made sharks tremble,

I dreamt that I was a giant with swords for fingernails.

Tell me Prince Charming can you compensate for the worlds you have stolen?

I suppose I should choose a suitable sunset,

and run with you into it.

I suppose we should gallop through the forest on your horse.

Then I will leave my bed for yours.

Now I shan’t sleep for a hundred years.

You put a stop to that with your kiss.

In time my dreams will cease.

I will be remembered as ‘that sleeping beauty.’

And when they tell my story they will neglect to mention,

that I was once a commander, a pirate and giant.