She Commands the Tides

she commands the tides

that can carry 

a man to sea

not to drown him

in the depths

but cradle in the bay

and wash him with 

the gentle kiss

of waves that fall like

children's dreams

as rain to pillows

soft as tears

mercy trickled

from the stars

that know

what heavens see

she holds the moon 

between her hands

the way she takes

his sailor's heart 

as life that beats

inside her ribs

to save him from

the ebb that goes

and hold it from

the tide

and when the storms

come rolling on

and swimming

wanes too weak

she sinks below 

the surface here

beneath what men perceive

to pass enchantments

to his mouth

to teach him how to breathe

she mutes the songs

that sirens sing 

and blunts the edge

of sharken teeth

with half the warmth

of woman's love

and half the passion

of the fire

enwrapped inside 

the dragon's scales 

that guards the girl beneath

she dives for treasures

through the dark 

without the dread of depth 

to dig below

the sands of time

for memories lost

when came the wreck

and all the pearls 

named for their love

they surrendered 

to the sea 

to keep from buccaneers 

to keep from pirates' reach

she brings them to

the surface now 

to string in strands of hope

of precious on a future's thread

to keep them both afloat

cause she's commander

of the tides 

and holder of the moon

the mythical reflection

that only can be seen

when waters calm

to eerie still 

and all is fantasy 

imprisoned in the far beyond

and locked inside 

a distant dream