Poetry: 'Dark Places' - when an anglerfish decides to hook up with you by Victoria Nordlund

By Victoria Nordlund

“When a male zeroes in on a partner, he bites down on her and will not let go. The pair’s circulatory systems and tissue fuse, and the male becomes a sexual parasite.”   
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​- Smithsonian Magazine

there are not many fish in this sea so when you find anyone in your abyss you count yourself lucky  flash your bioluminescent lure—           settle for this clingylittleguy that moves too fast that latches on immediately  that nibbles a hole in your soft side-- 
you tolerate  this pain because he makes you feel special 
& you are lonely  & it is dark  & he is committed 
to making this work—   his attachment should have been a red flag--
you have been with guys like this

 you have their baggage permanently fused to your flesh
yet here you are again— he begins sharing your skin--
no longer bothers to swim or eat or see he is a staple &
you give him your all as you feel his blood run  through your veins
as you keep him close  to your heart  & soon he has no heart or any organ other than his testes

you tell yourself you like this arrangement—   he is a part of you 
 & he will never hurt you because he is you 
+ some sperm he provides on demand
                                   along with all of the others that have come before--