Blue

They were the same
shade of blue
as the waters

Where the
clownfish
weaved among
the pink anemone
Caressed by
the tentacles
Lingering
where corals shimmered
in the bright light of day

the same
shade of blue
as the waters
where migrating
schoals weaved
dazzling vortices
of red and silver
and wave led wave
exuberantly
across the expanse

the same blue
as the waters
on which hundreds
bathed on sun decks
from port to port
The cool sea spray
a constant companion
as they met
new ones on board
their floating city

Through life's vortex
Those denim jeans
blue as the waters
became
a shade of
their old selves

lost their colour
grew frayed
worn
tired
and tears
all around


They both
saw their world
fray and rip
like those blue jeans
Worn and tired
by tears
A blue irreversibly
discoloured
now
an ill-fitting pair


and as he watched
her draw away
not lingering
Weaving into
the anemone
of the crowd

he felt his
shimmering ocean
all its vibrance
colour and warmth

fade into a

pale

lukewarm

still

blue