holly h. bercusson
beach walk
dogs’ feet & children’s feet
prints of every kind
pull me along
and I stamp myself into
the well-wended ways
on the sea-churned
sea-strewn sand
you have nice hair
tired steps, heavy steps
chasing my breath
in the swell and rustle
of pōhutukawa tickled by dusk
who skips briskly down
the night-peppered clouds
hey beautiful
red face, red sky
ripple on the sun-shod surf
creeping
like a burly crab
with dreadful claws
hey sexy
bird legs, cold legs
breeze-prickled
bracing me against
a bitter-tendrilled gust
can I have your number?
still heart, fast heart
hiding on the rocks
shadow-faced
how bout a kiss goodbye?
brine mouth, salt tongue
seaweed glut sick gut
slut
Holly H. Bercusson was born and raised in Auckland. She has recently jumped ship from academia and is now pursuing a career in psychology. She has tried to quit writing several times but has never quite managed her escape.