Kingfisher & Woman Drowning

Bright kingfisher (blue, all beak)crouches on buoy as boom cracks skull.Her mind: numbed wood. He’ll call this one Stagesof Blood Blooming from Ear.

Sail shroud settled, now it’s sealing.Had she known that bird’s a creep,restless as the stars are dulled.

Once he smoothed out dog-eared pages,once smoothed her forehead without fear.But he’s tired of all the healing—

more lovely drownings to keep.Inspects each one from upturned hulls.