Drowned Poem by Charles Darnell

Beneath a cold sea,
Fathoms down,
She settled long ago.
Breathing water is unnatural
For her species,
And, having no gills,
She died.

Time, crabs, and other
Scavengers made a meal
Of her remains,
Her bones picked clean,
And she lies,
In watery repose,
Her bones now home
To sea plants,
Dancing in the currents
Along the sea floor.

Long before, these white,
Brittle arms held
Warm children,
Caressed curls,
Reflected smiles in
Sparkling eyes.

Those eyes, long gone,
Leave sockets now for small
Fish to flee.
Her ribs now hold
A red lobster
Where once beat
A happy heart.

Her pelvic bones
Now mother a horseshoe crab,
Herself mother of millions,
And her long leg bones,
Bent crazily,
Anchor a coral colony.

Long ago she drowned,
Gave life while she lived,
Gives life still,
In this death.