DESDEMONA

Desdemona, seated this morning
on the verandah looking over the gulf
of ibis and pelicans brooding
across the water, drinking coffee, legs
crossed while she writes in her journal,
reclaiming her life here, returning to
the elemental, the sea, the morning
wind, the sun, her black dress, her black hair
draped suspiciously down her shoulder,
looking for words, for the four-handed
massage at the spa, stones warming
her back, the promise of spiritual joy
and awakening. O for mimosas at brunch!
A love affair, and coffee! Starfish and collecting
shells naked along the shore, feeling Cuba
in your mind, in your thighs, candlelight and
starlight from the balcony, incense
in your sleep, seared tuna and spinach salad,
bowls of she crab soup, kisses from
the past, anguished betrayals, the cleansing breath,
the promise of love, the memory, and
of course the words, these words, these words
she lives by, abides by, the words she cherishes,
conch, whelk, cockle, sand dollar, dolphin,
scallop, lover, lonely, alone, naked,
the shore, the tide, the stars and the moon,
mojitos and Italian jazz, destiny...
Desdemona, the unfortunate,
waiting on the verandah, and writing.