Heavy, Corse

Even the air is heavier here
As if gravity is somehow stronger
Anchoring ankles and breastbones
To the hard, welcoming island rock

Sunbaked and salt-kissed
my body, the granite below
We watch sea snails slurp
across shell-pocked coastline
Nose-kiss anemones
And cry hearty, salt-ridden tears

Embraced by this mothering earth
Her twisted purple vines and arching olive groves
How the blackberry brambles that snag at my periwinkle dress coo for me to stay
Stay, Just a little bit longer
Now, Here

Like a witch from some ancient mythology
Laid in wait, Listing to pull me close
Hold me tight
Sink me into the depths of this desert sea
Mold me through the sandstone crags
Let me breathe through the grapevines
Sip water from the rainbow streams

I am no child afraid
I melt into this place freely
I whisper it my name, spoken softly
So that I might always belong

Here
Let me stay
For just one more gulp
Of heavy air

sbmc