Fish-eye

Up in the dazzling dryness, mayflies dance,
tempting with tastiness all those who dare
leap through the world’s skin into empty air.
The brave will trust their blood-stream, take their chance,
fall back in gasping glory. Danger brings
delight. Cruise through the cool, reed-pillared halls
in triumph – but beware. A shadow falls
across the sparkling ceiling, then outflings
a hiss of line. Watch for the sharp-hooked fly,
the fighting, hopeless drag to air-choked death.
Just once, a giant beast of boots and breath
plunged through the winter ice, lost to his sky;
and now the great pike, lord of deepest stones,
swims through the white cathedral of his bones.