he silence, she knew of: how voiceless,
songless, she had only dance
to tell her tale and speak her love,
though each step was a thousand knives
flaying her skin.
The pain, she knew of: the agony
her transformed feet would bring
as she minced on land and mortal paths
shedding scales with every step.
Love, she knew of: the loss of breath,
the desperate need
the dragon hunger,
to be with her love, to touch his arm,
to walk with agony by his side.

Only this she had not known:
that each and every taste of tongue,
each and every yearning kiss
would bring her only the taste of salt,
and drown her in sudden longing for her sea.