If Love Is For the Fishes
i breathe them in each night
a shallow breath of scaly skin
i breathe deep & think
of the shrimp's crooked smile
i breathe deeper & am thankful
for the lobster's claw
i know this is a type of love
and dream for their flesh to never know harm nor hurt
to never know run and hide
i know this is a type of love
because my cheeks grow warm
my hands fling at the stars
i dance a dance all my own
there is music in my chest
i know this is a kind of love
because i think of my family
how they smile & i smile too
i always think of love & soft feather beds
the water is perfect for here & when i close
my eyes i only see a garden growing upwards
towards the sun that is really a smile
& the water washes away the dust
of my night screams
love is an open door
a boat swimming against a purple glory
& syrup spun sugar
& i breathed & breathe & breathe
love 'til we become
________________
Mahogany L. Browne
Chrome Valley
Liveright 2023
