The grey–curled dryad
spoke of a koi in the lake
she spied years ago
Koi in the lake?
Disposed by someone
Dispose of a koi?
Why not a lake full of koi?
I
I hunt for this koi
in this vast lake
a tug on my line
reveals grace–filled fins
rainbow scales
languid eyes
from the depths
startled, I cut the line
regret its nursing my rusting hook
blemishing its lip
II
I hunt for this koi
in this vast lake
a tug on my line
reveals grace–filled fins
rainbow scales
languid eyes
from the depths
determined, I reel it in
grasp it
jerk out the hook
as its blinking eyes
wonder at my violence
III
I paddle
in this vast lake
a glimmer of light
reveals grace–filled fins
rainbow scales
languid eyes
from the depths
IV
I dream of a glimpse
of grace–filled fins
rainbow scales
languid eyes
from the depths