Love Poem: The Curse of the Sea
Joyelle Osburn Avatar
Written by: Joyelle Osburn

The Curse of the Sea

farewell, but you will
remain in my mind
as echoes remain
wandering the frigid cliffs.

maybe time has
hardened my face-
remembering when
our bodies emerged
from the sea as one-
when our lips controlled
the tide and the songs
of the seabird.

within a crashing wave,
I was pushed ashore,
hands bound-
overgrown in seaweed
while you drifted
closer to freedom
with the horizon.

perhaps I'll ask the
ocean for forgiveness
for the bitter contact we left.
perhaps, from my body,
I'll wash you away
with her sharp lichen
and black sea foam.