they are shadow & water
defined into unsteady crescent moons
as they battle towards the sea
to return only themselves, their flaking
rusting selves
I've been there
but it wasn't to breed
and I couldn't return with the sea
to feed a black bear
or an eagle
or rot to give life
to dirt
to trees I couldn't wrap myself around
no, I survived
and only fed
the kind of predator who leaves bodies
on concrete or hotel beds
I want to endure like the salmon
yet choose a different river
if I really have to leave the sea
if the oil doesn't catch me
