Moon Pool

By Janice Galloway

NO FAERIES IN THIS HOLLOW WOOD, JUST MERMAIDS OUT OF PLACE
SQUIRRELS BURY TREASURE UNDER SPLASH GREEN LEAVES

BONE

SIGNS IN THE FOREST MAKE A LIGHTHOUSE FLARE
BEWARE OF ICE. BEWARE THE THREE WHITE BEARS

ROCK

A MAGPIE AND A PIRATE FLAG, A TABLE TURNED TO SOLID GROUND
THE GRASS COCOONS A MOON ROCK, SHARDS, A ROCKET HIDE

SALT

A SEA SWELL, A METAL WELL, TURNS FOOL'S GOLD TO WISHES
A SILVER ACE, A SEA QUEEN, CARDLESS TRICKS MADE OUT OF LIGHT

HIDE

SUMMER CANNOT THAW THESE MINERAL WAVES, THIS POOL
THESE FINE SALT GLISTERED BANDS

SILVER

WITCHES HAVE NO POWER HERE. THE NORTH SEA SLICKS
THEIR SKIN TO BUTTER, HANGS ITS SHEETS TO DRY

ICE

WHAT'S WHISPERING BEHIND YOU, A SOUND LIKE TIDE?
A FOREST'S GHOST, A MARINER, LOST, A MOUTHLESS, BONELESS CRY

WOOD