The fugue of the sea

The absent sea regards the moon, falling
On the lemniskates drawn into the sand
On the piercing cry of a sea-gull in flight
On the gentle undulations and ululations
Of the tear-bright eyes of the Andaman cobra.
The coconut tree feathers against the cobalt
As its skull-children Thud Thud
On the sea-bleached night of ether and quiet
Exploding upon the soil, against the world,
Against the gelid roar of the tide.
The sea, by now, has fled to another time,
Drawing out the venom of each body
Each carousing family, each bawling baby
Each widow, each son, each little blot
Kneeling on its shores.