In Just a Few Easy Steps

In case you've been wondering,

here's how you lure

sea turtles into your dreams

in just a few easy steps:

First, leave warm water

running in your bathtub,

making sure the stopper

is firmly in place.

This should help to ensure

that your apartment

is full of water

at the appropriate time.

(I should probably

pause here to say:

Please resist the temptation

to think directly

about sea turtles

during this process.

They are too smart for that

and almost always see it coming.

This is a classic beginner's mistake.

Let's continue...)

Next, you have to put on

your dreaming equipment.

A nightgown, blue

a sleeping mask, black

and a silver bracelet

with silver charms

in the shape of silver fish.

By now, you should

be quietly getting into bed.

Once comfortable,

open a copy

of Wide Sargasso Sea

and lay it face down

across your heart

as if you fell asleep

while reading it.

You didn't, but

they won't know that.

Eyes closed now,

you should be under

between 10 to 12 feet

of comforters, duvets,

or whatever you

have on hand.

I've found this to be

the ideal depth

for dreaming of sea turtles.

Your experience may vary.

Preparations complete,

imagine yourself

standing on the beach

at Francis Bay,

looking out across

The Drake. Imagine

the water clear

and the day bright.

As you fall asleep,

begin to dream

of entering the water.

Swim out a good ways

from shore. Dream of

the thing you love the most

and then dream

of the thing they love the most,

the long sea-grass

growing up from the bottom,

swaying back and forth

with the current.

Now, look down.

With any luck at all

you'll begin to see

just what it is

I keep going on about.

April 1, 2016