Catfish

It is a thing of wonder, this fish, Missouri channel cat nearly four feet long, wet pewter worn with water. Father holds it up for the box camera, muscles balled beneath green polo shirt, sweat spreading slowly like vast continents. This is one that didn't escape, whiskered face smooth gray as a hog's head bringing back old stories of catfish big as men lying hidden on river's floor, waiting their turn to grin, dangle cigarettes from niches of mouths, click cameras, capture us as trophies and mere men.