Coral Griefs
“The Sea on Fire”: Jean Barraqué
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
If mermaids basked on beaches, then their hair
Would be of swaying sea grass, whether blonde
Or red, and combed with coral brushes, flair
Of gold or scarlet, orange the teeth beyond
Mere mortal colors brooding through the strands.
Or maybe conches’ hard shaped fingers would
Arrange their hairdos. Shining on the sands
The mermaids might lie back, as lovelies should,
To tantalize the mermen surfing through
Their breakers. Lusters, abalone eyes,
The mermen’s irises stare over blue,
