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by Maria Costello
Let me stay
in the pearl of sleep-wake
to curl myself
into a ball
under the covers’
protective shell.I lay quiet
in the tide-pool
of my bed
a sea treasure
for a child
to snatch.
I dreamed
the ocean was you.
You carried me
on your back
rolled me further
into myself.
Swim, you said
open your arms
your mermaid legs
kick out
to the morning light.
by Maria Costello
August 14, 2009
California
