Nola, When She Sings

by Lydia Ondrusek

She combs the seaweed from her hair
and sings them home
from everywhere — her children,
riding memories, and
bearing swords of saints.

Sings
“yes, the waves roll out
so far, my dear ones, and
my, the sea is very large
to roam; and
oh, the waves are very tall,
my darlings –
but look – they are forever
rolling home.”

She combs the seaweed from her hair
and sings her ancient song –
her children sail through hurricanes
to bear her magic back, ere long;
in hopes they fill, with tears of joy,
her emptied crescent moon.

In hopes they’ll be there, dancing,
the next time Nola sings.

Lydia Ondrusek lives in Richardson, Texas, and often writes about Southern experiences and locations. She has had fiction and poetry published online and in print since 2008 in a diverse range of publications that include Flash Fiction Online and Falling Star Magazine. Follow her on Twitter @littlefluffycat.