Forked tail thrashing as I lift
the tiny fish from the water
I hold him for a moment
pausing

His lateral line sharply drawn
pencil like down the middle
of his side.

The speckles are the thing
though.

Like bright spots of confetti
glittering on the dancer's dress
natural red
yellow
orange
on a background of hammered pewter.

Then with a twist of hook and wrist
he's gone.

Angus November 5, 2000