there the trout cavort with butterflies on pins and mummies try to cheer me with their rictus grins as pickled punks stare through the junk he mounts a cat with fins does he notice there beneath my dusty skin the warmth glowing within mermaids hideous scream their lust through lips sealed with twine can he turn to me if it proves in the end things with flippers and fins make untrustworthy friends where does curio end and companion begin shrunken heads converse in bed with mysteries of the sea does he long for the promise of mermaiden grace while i rest in my case will they look after me will i ever be free 