No mortal ever gave
what I gave up
for you.
Rising from the liquid
depths
of amethyst and blue.
I left the amber-windowed palace,
strangling gardens,
coral walls.
Sacrificed immortal beauty,
scale-sheathed
symphony of coils.
But more I cannot say or sing:
I cut the silver song
out of my throat.
I gave you everything.
* * *
Pain as the star-cold potion
stabbed me;
pain as my slender smoothness
split in two.
Pain in my every bloodstained footstep;
pain in my heart
which bleeds for you.
All for you:
and now you lie
bridegroom clasping mortal bride.
Dashed into sea-spume
I must die.
Now as you sleep beside my likeness
now I could pay you
pain for pain.
My knife could cut
the two of you apart:
your lives for mine.
In vain; the blade would open up
my wounded breast.
Dissolve to sea-foam
throbbing heart
and rest.
Margot K. Juby