A Native of Florida's Reefs

A Native of Florida's Reefs I am the native of the Florida Keys and Bahamas People here call me mero and not goliath grouper Once a scuba diver caught and held me beside the boat Half out of water with hook in corner of my mouth. Looked at my five-haired beard trailing from aching jaw Brown skin hanging in strips like ancient wallpaper Shaped like full-blown roses stained and lost in age Was frightened by gills breathing in terrible oxygen. He gazed and gazed with pride and triumph in eyes Don’t know what happened to him, he let me go!. I was only six years then and got a long life of fifty Travelling to Flamingo and Shark River, our Mecca. Wonder as scuba divers are not seen in native waters As to catch us in US waters has been declared illegal Please do your bit signing online petition to fishing ban Curb your desire to make money or just the fun for it =================================== *Inspired by Fishing Ban laws Date 20-10-13 Dr. Ram Mehta Third Place win Contest: Personify Any Animal of your choice by Just That Archaic Poet