Gills are Given

Together

The water closing
over us and the
going down is all.
Gills are given.
We convert in a
town of broken hulls
and green doubloons.
O you dead pirates
hear us! There is
no salvage. All
you know is the color
of warm caramel. All
is salt. See how
our eyes have migrated
to the uphill side?
Now we are new round
mouths and no spines
letting the water cover.
It happens over
and over, me in
your body and you
in mine.

–Maxine W. Kumin

A poem for Dave, my partner of 31 years. To the day.

5 Replies to “Gills are Given”

  1. Happy Happy Anniversary!

  2. Happy Anniversary, you two!

    (Love the poem.)

  3. Everytime I read one of your posts, I fall in love a little bit. This was beautiful. Happy Anniversary.

  4. […] Together The water closing over us and the going down is all. Gills are given. We convert in a town of broken hulls and green doubloons. O you dead pirates hear us! There is no salvage. All you know is the color of warm caramel. All is salt. See how our eyes have migrated to the uphill side? Now we are new round mouths and no spines letting the water cover. It happens over and over, me in your body and you in mine. –Maxine W. Kumin A poem for Da … Read More […]

  5. […] Together The water closing over us and the going down is all. Gills are given. We convert in a town of broken hulls and green doubloons. O you dead pirates hear us! There is no salvage. All you know is the color of warm caramel. All is salt. See how our eyes have migrated to the uphill side? Now we are new round mouths and no spines letting the water cover. It happens over and over, me in your body and you in mine. –Maxine W. Kumin A poem for Da … Read More […]

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