Nail your first fresh mermaid
to the boathouse wall
upside down
so if she drips,
she won't ruin herself.
Slink close in the heat,
hand on her belly,
wood sweat wet against
her virgin jade flash
scales, and scrape
your dull-edge knife
beneath her hip.
She'll gasp, but slide
your hand around her throat
and she'll hush.
Scour pink her flesh
until, undressed,
she's ready to open for you.

Thrust your favorite fillet knife
into the space between her hips.
Press close in the heat,
hand on her hot throat,
and slit, slow to never snag
the belly flesh you split.
Reach your whole hand in.
She'll arch, but
pour little brother octopus
onto the boathouse floor,
and she'll hush, emptied
and ready to be filled.
She'll serve best fresh
but pack her womb with ice
if you'd prefer to wait.

Don't get too attached.
She is only
another hollow fish.

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