Ankyra Sound He was growing in my garden

a woman some months her senior emerged from the cleverly disguised mouth of the den. at once, sobeille took in the full breadth of her.

she held the sea entire in that reserved gaze.

you be ‘arbourin’ a child of sapphique. sobeille informed the seaward nymph, glancing pointedly where leonore’s body disappeared into the gloom.

she tells me you be wit’ children also. woven into the saltsilver of marina’s pelt was notes of lavender and milk. where was her family to protect her during this vulnerable time? did she intend to raise them herself? you ‘ave protected her, and birthed children in dis sacred place. for dat, i will not run you off.

but you must tell me - who you be, and ‘ow you be comin’ to sapphique’s ancestral ‘ome.