Pearls

diving for pearls beneath the surface

of your shadow, finding fingerprints
along your back and shoulder
blades, and I was the one
who put them there

and they are pearl-shaped holes
punched pretty in the skin
behind your ears, the clearing
made by you and me in
forests deeper green
than we could see

beside the sea
we sat and dipped our toes
inside, your ink and splatters
marking me with sand
my flattened hand across
your back, your pearls are strung
along my neck

goodnight, and close
your eyes. good
night.