We found her on the seashore
Washed up by the waves
With seashells in her hair
And two final words caught on her lips

But you took the easy way out,
Catching the Gulf Stream and
Riding it to another place

We laid her in the tidal flats
As barnacles sprouted through her skin
We sang to her a lullaby
And left her there to rest

The wave lines evaporated
Farther and farther out
With every wave
Until the sea was gone all together

You were lucky you got out
Before those salt marshes evaporated
Leaving broken crab shells behind

Before everyone left and
Even the water forsook her
Leaving her body behind

But you came back,
Her last words always ringing in you ears.
And you found her where they laid her,
Wilted flowers growing from her face

You picked one, smelled it,
“Flowers always smell sweeter
When they’re dying”

You laid down beside her in the desert
And held her leather hand.
She whispered to you again
“Don’t go”
And this time you wouldn’t
Take the easy way out

The waves crept back slowly then
And swept over you and her
The marbled carpet of foam on the water
Was the pall