i know the rip

and the tide

the gut of the whale,

it reduces

it drives you down
as if you could disappear in the belly of grief

but you are the force…your reach is the cause

that frees me from
the dark of the whale

your presence that stretches that beast’s mouth open
tosses me out of his black belly

into sunlight and ground.

and now i stand at the shore

in patience

for i have some idea where you are
deep in the belly of that wail

so here i will wait
and i will call in the tones
sing the love notes

to coax that whale to release you

and in divine timing

when the monster is done with you

sunlight will find you again
leading your feet to fertile ground.