I’ve read the story a dozen times
and seen the movie versions
as many times
or more
and still
when Santiago
pulls the huge fish
alongside
the sharks always come
and eat his beautiful fish
and I always wish
just once
the old man
would get the fish
into the boat
and return
victorious
but that’s never
what happens
and every time
I tear up just a little
because I know
every old man
loses a fish to
sharks one day
a magnificent frigate bird
guides his course
the winds rise
the seas rise
in a sandy bar
the old men drink
the young men laugh
sunset arrives
