She had never been a good wife staying out till all hours coming home wet and wild with flesh stuck between her teeth She had fallen for his best lines reeled him in, netted a husband After marriage she dropped the camouflage became a bit of a disappointment When she joined the band she found her place forgot for awhile who she was rattling spoons over her scales and singing of shipwrecked loves She stopped looking at other men remained mute upon the rocks traded her shell bras for ones of lace sailors watching still ran aground Perhaps she needs to try again, harder loving words are bait enough but pearls last longer when held in the hand her husband but a shoal against the sea’s allure She had tried to be a good wife cooking calmly stirring the bowl’s contents but she couldn’t help dip the spoon and lick it add pepper to fish heads and fingers Not all sirens give warnings but she will write a note on handmade, scented paper will not eat her love but leave him with fishwife memories when the ocean calls published Polu Texni 2011