Free again, my panther<\/p>\n
life takes off fast\u2014palmettos<\/p>\n
and snakes in the path.<\/p>\n
The beautiful sea grape<\/p>\n
is aging like it\u2019s winter;<\/p>\n
leaves of talkative platters,<\/p>\n
some big as my hand, still<\/p>\n
grow heart-red veins<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
but have gone soft<\/p>\n
and pale at the edges.<\/p>\n
My very last husband<\/p>\n
sheds his brave persona<\/p>\n
and slithers into the bamboo<\/p>\n
for good. Leaving<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
him there, I remember<\/p>\n
that on nights like this,<\/p>\n
thousands of baby<\/p>\n
sea turtles hatch<\/p>\n
and make their determined<\/p>\n