Longing for the Deep

He found her crouching in the ice plants on the cliffs of the sea
Her skin irredescent as the sand as it slips through your fingers
Hair, whipping wildly with the wind as it rushes up the shore
The color of the sun as it drinks the vast blue lifeblood of their small island
She did not shutter as he approaoched, though his presence was formidable.
She simply reached for the water with the longing of a drunk after wine
She pulled herself along the ground, dragging her body into submission
She sent rocks cascading down the interminable precipice before he caught her
She fought at first, but then lost her will quickly
With energy enough only to reach again for the deep
He carried her down the mule path his people had forged long ago
He clasped her white flesh with his dark, thick arms pressing her tightly to him
He inhaled her salty breath as her head fell heavy on his bare, broad shoulders
He wore only the sarong of hsi tribe and the royal band of leather and bone
He reached the warm sand, marching forward toward the breaking waves
The water seemed a fuel to her near lifeless form
Her body squirmed and writhed free of his grasp
Like a fish wriggling loose from the fatal skewer of a spear
Fighting for one last chance at freedom, though in vain
Her arms swung wildly at her side as she fought for each heavy step
Deeper and deeper she strode, with purpose and desperation
He waited on the shore, letting the water hit his knees without notice
He watched her as a terror and a longing gripped his chest
He blinked the sun back in his eyes, raising his hand to his forehead
He searched the water, but she was gone.
He leapt with fury, diving into the shallow water and propelled with earnest
Somehow his life was now bound to hers and he felt his spirit dying
She hovered just below the surface of the water, swaying with the sea's rhythm
She did not respond has he hoisted her above water, throwing her over his shoulder
She began to cough as they reached the shore and as her consciousness returned
She kicked madly, screaming in magnificent torment
She clawed, bit and scratched his tanned back, hollering for her death
As though he were her punisher and not her savior.
Then, in an instant, she was asleep, limp in his arms again.
It was like moving in a dream, gathering wood, food and shelter
This was his home, and yet it seemed so foreign to him.
How he had longed for something other, something spectacular
They all thought him foolish, but he knew it would come, she would come.
She stirred in her weary sleep, like a woman plagued by demons
She calmed as he rubbed coconut oil on her chapped lips and aloe on her pink skin
She was a mystery and yet he knew her so clearly, and himself through her.
She would need him and he would forfeit his life to save her, provide for her, love her.
She was dangerous, but he would give his heart to no one else.
Just as the sweetest oysters come from the perilous underbelly of treacherous rocks
He knew that she housed a great treasure that would whisper new promise
He would tell his people he had seen a sign from the god of the sun.
He was caught in its mirage, perhaps, but he would not faulter from his purpose
He will bestow upon her every treasure in his posession and if she will have him
He will make her his bride.