FISHING (POEM FOR "S")

I cast my net

but did not catch

anything like

as many stars as you.

In my debrief you

were the soul of consolation

hastening to point out

how likely it was there

were undercurrents I missed

and perhaps even

great oceanic currents

where the sea sets

out to imitate

the swirl of galaxies.

But Rome would trust her Empire

to such vagaries, never

let her all-conquering triremes

simply follow the winds

and whilst we are about it,

this fishing for secrets,

let us compare our

history in the

dark arenas. Figure how

many gladiators netted, how

resounding the victory, resonant

the crowd to

such perfect kills.