Ocean in a Bottle
Eric Blasco

Creeping up my spine
starfish sized shutters wind
through a thick-skinned shirt
a thousand fibers worn tight
you dance and flirt
but I fight
to keep these winds
from catching me
just right
sending me twitching
back to another night,
when a red stream burst
into flames
leaves of grass
whispered my name
goose bumps
pushed away pain.

My hand reached
sea to shining sea,
You’re back again!
to wake me–
from a thousand deep
thoughts beneath
a brain’s coral reef
invisible fish
turn dark, light up,
and blow out your wish
it’s easier to think about life like this.