The Sea, My Body

by Gail Ingram, New Zealand

Feel me rise, or
use me as a dump, baby,
for your science and art; ride me.
 
You think you contain me with borders.
I am inhabited by your aliens,
 
I go deep, as far as
the golden belly of a beached whale.
 
Your earthy head
arcs across my horizon,
even contained, I am buoyant,
 
as wide a surface as you
can imagine, higher
 
up your leg than you expected –
the force, the curls, the rise
of sand. I surprise you
 
even when you know
I’m coming.