Smithereens Press Chapbooks Atoll by Dylan Brennan | Page 14

Lighthouse King

The other men have been
swallowed by sharks
or benevolent waves
and now I am king
and how could I not be?
Each girl is my bride.
Each neck adorned
with the crushed shells
of terracotta land crabs,
poisonous flesh removed.
Away from the vile universe
of flat seas
turn all eyes
lagoonwards
to our perforated heart.
From
my
tower
I am the light of the world.
Pray never to be found.

8