Pacific Slope

shoals   in sparked night
real creatures crushed by
                                         
                                   heated hunter
                                              gathers me, in long stocking

pearlescent, feasting
                                              salty heat of
abalone
          stewed in derelict measure

climbed, naked, on board
                                              each body, a mosaic in sand

drift, sea rind, carapace in hand
                                              to which we, a fire

red carved, each tissue ripped from small purse
                                                      tessellated surface
          talus shade


                 in tears