they follow her with their eyes
ready to attach
themselves to her
they come ashore
she shakes off
her composure
like sleep
and they are
fooled by it.
she breaks
herself off
in pieces
like taffy,
the sea enters her
the men advance on her.
for centuries
she sits
at her islet
with no outlet
a small hellenic
trade-route post
she sees all
she lives alone
and those who come to cal
l are consumed
by her lizard eye glance
her berryred hellion craw.
I like
the woman's power
I like
her pluck.