what would I tell you
of the giant cod
how each summer we
would meet
out there in the bay
off Spruce Head
me with my fishing pole
and shining metal gig
he
with mouth
gaped wide
big enough
for a baseball
how every day was
perfect
better than the last
I’d pull him up
from freezing depths
each time
his body
silver and flashing
we’d wrestle and toss
pant and cuss
each
fighting for a life
each determined to succeed
we’d meet there
like this
every summer
both of us
farther now from that
ancient time
closer to the shore
how’s the wife i’d ask
as I eased him over the
gunwales
oh she’s well enough I suppose
no more spawning for her though
the fish looked sad for a moment
his mouth hanging down
blood oozing from his mouth
and gills
a hearty flop in the
bottom of the boat
gave us both a good
chuckle
I remarked how shiny
and brilliant his scales were
in that rare honey light
brighter than our first meeting
I’d judge
memory
or whimsy
it’s strange I said
I always catch you
and
you always die
and yet
you always
come back to me
yes
true enough said the fish
his head
glancing up at me
light fading
from his eyes as they
slowly clouded over
to a stormy gray
but
we both come
here each year
to die a little
he pondered
under a honey sun
in cobalt water
beneath wavy skies
I’m sorry I said
truly I am
I know
the fish replied
see you next year
I said
always
the fish replied
always
