Oceans Lay Between Us

My daughter sat astride my icy feet
her lips pressed firm against a flute
and the fragile porcelain notes
puckered gently in raag Yaman,
cooling my beaded head.
The tones helped drown
the sound of tepid waters
lapping against blowing sands
where I had been before you,
and where you were now alone.

As the music eased its throb
I shut my eyes and saw you,
watching in fascination
electric blue, black and yellow striped fishes,
flit past swaying coral reefs
now tinted mauve, now drenched lilac
and as the sun's glint shot through,
sometimes an angelic rose.

Beyond colour and sound
I saw that oceans lay between -
they had for some time now,
as they always shall.