The Catch
Catfish are floundering
in too shallow a creek -
long summer, little rain.
Doug attaches a drag net to the back of his truck
hauls in three or four fish in one sweep.
Wide gaping rubbery mouths'
sucking desperately at the spray
death throes in the wriggling water.
The fish are damaged, clubbed
by the stony riverbed.
Go fill a big blue plastic barrel with tap water
dump them in.
Not sure what to do.
It seems like the catfish are now drowning
some are belly-up but still twitching.
We may have to stand here
under the hot midday sun
and just watch.
Copyright © Eric Ashford | Year Posted 2023
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