Zanclus cornutus
Dark hijab,
bangles flashing
over old coral
clouded
with pungent
milt and ink.
Djinn lamp,
flickering,
ignites eelgrass
and sea-whips
into a bonfire
of vanities.
Torch dancer
scorches
crown-of-thorns,
spiral galaxy
of sea stars
fallen to reef.
Shadow poppet
conjured
over crushed shells
against deluge
of sea-light,
radiant tide.
Dark hijab,
bangles gleaming
over coral bleached
bare and pale
as the unblemished
page.