The Octopus and the Fisherman

I

Paralyzed by a glob

of toxic spittle,

the lobster makes a fine meal

for the octopus

whose hard beak stabs the shell.

If disturbed

by a shark or stingray,

the octopus will vanish

in a puff of ink or contort

its boneless body

into the colours of a coral reef.

In a watery crook,

the octopus seals shut

the cave’s mouth,

lays her eggs.

II

A fisherman fingers

a long-handled blade,

rolls a cigarette,

chops herbs and garlic

by a charcoal fire.

Now dozing in the sun,

the fisherman dreams

of a knife entering

soft hulk, dreams

of bleached meat

drying in the Polynesian sun.

The fisherman awakes

and stabs the sea

with a spear, draws up

a pretty mollusc.

He tenderises it

with the skill of one

who has spent his life

pounding carcass

against stone.