Room 24, El Museo Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Wide-eyed they catch my gaze,
gape-mouthed I mimic them -
shocked still
in their shackled skins.

We snatch them, 
grass bound, leathered.
They are no longer rush-wrapped
or hard-held by the memory of lava. 

We rouse them 
from deep-time slumber 
unpeel their husks,
crack them raw like clams.

We examine stomach contents
expose young sinews, wombs.
We place labels on each case.

Curated curios now not sisters,
lovers, daughters, bairns.