the ocean loves you

the air thickens braiding twisted heat coiled down poles and sidewalks, hang- ing from vines and palm trees, the sun something to hold breath, plunge into come up in shade for air

I’ve forgotten Pacific breezes mirage of opening windows the blast of ocean air waiting anxious wiggles around the room cool breath in hair, papers askew curtains like flies in your face

I don’t know this foreign air this wind weighed with hot water, sands blinding white, ocean like a jacuzzi

locals in jeans and tennis shoes while I leave offerings of myself my sweat expelled as sacrifice to monster atmosphere, hungry for more and more

I languish under umbrellas with cold water, fruity cocktails I wade at sea past afternoon all my anxiety wrung out frantic work bobbing far away I slosh through underground rivers float in cenotes Mayans found fish nibble my feet, while I eat tacos, fruit and trilling Spanish drink music that plays everywhere