Trout Dream (Poetry)

Dream-deep in gold-flecked shallows
trout lies still
eyes glazed as though entranced
he waits until
the turquoise-bright fly dances
skims the lake
then trout from his feigned slumber
jerks awake

to lunge — straight as an arrow
mouth agape
no thought except for hunger
drawn to shape
frail wings that throw a shadow
where they fall
a lure his genus follow
one and all.

He cannot see the feathers
for the fly
the hidden hook surprises
catching sly
regardless how he thrashes
to be free
he squirms — his tail fin flashes
frantically.

The barbs hold firm — he rises
feels thin air
that world once tantalized him
drew his stare.
He gasps for breath and shimmers
rainbow-scaled
perception growing dim as
vision fails...

White bones lie on the pebbles
drift in sleep
weave a trail of bubbles
memory-deep.
The ghost-fish has his glory
some would say
the big one in each story
gets away.