Fishing for ‘Cuda in the Florida Keys
by Michael Escoubas

It was as if the sea had a song,
gave voice to a song
that made constant cry
caused constantly a cry
that drew these men close
to the waves, to the clouds
and to the life beneath
the grinding water and the gasping
wind … life teems here
in these iridescent waters …
the barracuda sleek and slender
magnificent wearing its menacing fins
and teeth designed to rip and tear.

How their hearts pounded
when ‘Cuda attacked the bait and raced
like an arrow glistening
in aqua undulations of the sea.

How they respect
this worthy adversary, master
of the sea, ray-finned, once
ferocious, now, no less stunning,
resting in the hands of men.



 

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