Carp and the Fishwife

I have carpe diemed

until all the carp

are washed up

on the shore

gasping fishwifery

roughness bristling

impotent

between whistling whiskers

and all I’ve seized

slips termagant and scaly

from grasping idolatry.

I have spawned upriver

up the falls

beyond grandmother’s house

my scales shimmering

rusted rainbow glimmering

floundering

in the faltering

rays of the day

until all I am left with

are mottled fish kisses

flaking incrustations

and the film of rotting chum

scummy skinned

upon my teeth