Boats

i was born between midnight and dawn
when the wind finds the water 
dreaming again.
they put me in a boat 
with sea shells and sharks teeth 
the clouds swam
she was in the sky above
the moon a pearl necklace
around her forgotten face


i was born blinded
from the bright sins of my father
my brothers rope around my wrist 
shut inside a child's fist
a hidden kiss

i was born crying
when the day began
the sunrise was white
like bleached cowries 
sheets on the line
baby's face is mine
white like the sails
on the boats 
in the morning