a turquoise porpoise attached to a jade-colored rope
looped through a rectangular placard - a replica of a wave - 
that was her bookmark

in summer wedged between pages

pulled taut the porpoise would ride the top ream there at the binding,
the thick thread (did i say rope?) hidden in the vee of the long fold

amid the tiniest kernels of sand, warmed beach sand
scented of summer oils

and whatever was on the sheets, and the soaps,
and the candles

the sound in the air

cc: Chagall 2021