Venus Returns to Sea Foam

by Nancy Ellis Taylor

In the revelatory dreams of fishes

where the light is filtered through

milk and cold tea

she sees a picture in silver

Phosphorescent bubbles and static

the squall fills her ears

and the seabirds' beaks distract

her from her meanderings

She sees eyes that move like stories

mouths that move like songs

all shapes changing colors

whirling crystal leaves shifting

Constellations make the patterns

of a swirling school of fish

she takes Pisces' form and swims

across the air to water

Her lips move but no one hears

the Moon is the last witness

as she merges with salt and silver

and sentient fishes

She flashes like filtered pearls

against the silence

and hears at last

the ocean tangled lives

speak