The Pull and Pull Of a Fisherman

I mouth the words and giggle, shrill and bright Just how you like it. I make sure to take all the corresponding steps, to walk this sugar-glazed path Tongue on your neck I make sure everything’s in check, that you’re taking the bait And I don’t want to make it sound like I’m a fisherman As if you’re a particular catch I’m just a kid, sticking a hand in the river Grabbing the first fin I feel I smile wide, toothless You thrash in my hand, you can’t see, you can’t breathe Your scales aren’t shiny, you’re missing an eye Throw you into the water, let you hide in the deep. You could never be like I wished Scaled and icy, aquamarine A beautiful thing, a rare beautiful thing But you’re just a damn fish You’re a force, an immovable force, a machine Your eyes follow me and you want to Play touch tank, but you’re a grown man So I pull a red herring and bite off your hand. Feel the gears turning in your head See your eyes as they think of the next step You are a fake And you know I would trade You for a piece of paper with his name on it You know it, but you still let me Stick my fingers in your gills Grab your fins and touch your scales You let me play on all your strings And then I let you swim away.