His Heart to Bait His Hook

so many fish dangling 

on his rigs in an ocean, 

each believing she is 

special to be caught,

each struggling 

for freedom

just another filet

for the predator's meal,

slowly, more torturous 

than the merciful shark, 

with stark white rows

of quick teeth and dead eyes,

this fisherman yanks for sport 

each special catch

to masticate

and mount

in wooden effigy

snapper never saw the hook

hidden in the bait,

but took it readily

below the trolling boat

a lesson with no learning 

beyond the ice and knife