The Smile of the Dolphin
Frank
Joussen
to understand the smile
of the dolphin
you’ve got to know
a manta ray
and the lash of its tail
that goes straight
to your heart -
like the knife opening
the farewell note
of your one and only
you’ve got to see the sharks
in the bay here too
and feel the marks
they leave on your fins
like badges of courage
you never wanted
and wouldn’t kill
for making you
a little different
from all the rest.