beneath the finish

I have been training.
Practicing my aim, sharpening my nails,
preparing for the dive below the surface
of day trips and
bargains in the treasure bin.
I plan to scratch through the gloss,
down beneath the patina

and taste the salt
from your sweat baked into the clay,
to identify this sculpture
by your finger print traces
and secret signatures between her thighs.

Come, sneak under the sleek spray of acrylic,
waterproof, we will not dissolve in the weather
no matter what it drops down.