I grew up drenched in natural waters
     like the mollusk in the phosphorous sea.

In me, the crusty salt resounded
     and formed my singular skeleton.

How to explain -- almost without
     the blue and bitter rhythm of breathing,
          one by one the waves repeated
               what I sensed and trembled with
                    until salt and spray formed me.

The wave's rejection and desire,
     the green rhythm which at its most secret
          raised up a transparent tower.

It kept that secret, and all at once
     I felt that I was beating with it,
          that my song was growing with the water.