Limpet (Poetry)

You cling regardless of each changing tide,
despite the roughness of the ride
you can't let go
or simply drift away
but fiercely clamp a stubborn foot,
letting storms pass overhead and bide
what's left of time.

It's been habit for too long
and you failed to heed the mermaid's tempting song
but stuck to what you know
and go further into your shell
as you grow old, determined to hang on
to need's salt bitterness.

Your marriage-ship is foundering,
slowly wrecking on the unkind reef at last
but she feels no regret for what is past
for wood has no warm nerve,
her heart is hollow,
sinking as though out of spite, intent
that you oh-so-dutifully follow.