Another Sea

A tall wave comes, winds around my waist, draws me to the sea. It has not drowned me; it has only taken me far from the shore. The little huts, the villas, the boats, the fishermen’s nets, the long whistles of the coast guards, slowly, slowly faded away. The hands of the sea have taken the shawl from my head, have undone the braids of my hair. The chestnut rings of my hair are dancing, loose and wavy, on the water. The hands of the sea have lifted my skirt, with a soft turn they have taken my body out of the prison of my dress. Naked, on my back, I lie on the strong, bare arms of the sea. Light, light shines in the crystal of the sky. Sea swallows, circling, come near. The cool breeze of their flight glides over my face. The waves with foam on their lips are nowhere to be seen. I turn my eyes: around me little fish are circling. — many-colored — Their shining scales reflect the daytime sun into the soft heart of the water. Handfuls of pearls from the laughing mouths of the oysters roll out, dance on my shins. I drew away, I drew away from the black anxieties of a woman, covered from head to toe, huddled on the shore. I drew away from all the shores. Now in my ear is the beating of your heart. My sea: deep, calm, blue...