The Diver is my love
and I am his if I am
to be deceived
who takes one breath above
for every hour below the sea
 
Who gave to me a jewel
worth twice this woman’s life
but would cost her less
than laying at low tide to see
her [bad word] love phosphoresce
 
And in an infinite regress
Tell me why
Is the pain of birth lighter born
than the pain of death?
I ain’t saying I loved you first,
but I loved you best
 
I know we must abide
Each by [bad word] that bind us here
The divers and the singers
and the women on the pier
 
And how do we choose our form?
How do you choose your name?
How do you choose your life?
How do you choose the time you must exhale and kick and rise?
 
And in an infinite capsize
Like a boat tearing down the coast
Double hulls bearing double masts
I don’t know if you loved me most
But you loved me last
 
(Recall the work) you gave
To count your way across the depths of this (arid) world
Well, you will yoke the waves and lay a bed of shining pearls
 
I dream it every night
the ringing, oh the (praying), the motes of sand dislodge
the shocking (?) and bright
 the twinned and cast off shells
reveal a single heart of white
 
And in an infinite backslide
ancient borders/boulders sink past the west
like a (sword/soul) at the bearer’s (ball/bowl)
I can claim that I knew you best,
but did you know me at all?
 
Woman is a lie/light
woman is a lie/light
but do not take her for a sign
an anchor on a stone, alone, unfaceted and fine
and never will I (win/wed/rest)
I’ll hold the pearl of death to the bottom of my life
And ever hold my breath ‘til I may be the Diver’s wife
 
See how the infinite divides
and the divers are not to blame
for the rift spanning distant shores
You don’t know my name
but I know yours.