underneath my civilian
clothes, my rainbow scales
gleam with the mad night,
glowing through my shirt—
but only you can see
these colors.
they bleed onto you—
now you are emerald,
deep turquoise, stormy
purple, teal, gold,
fuchsia, emerald, reflecting
the planets above—
~
our venetian priestess
bathes in selenite water
charged with jupiter and
outer-space powders.
constellations form between
her eyes, delicate legs
form wings and flutter.
she meets me there,
in the bathhouse,
we sweat
our prayers.
By Amber Marie