- What Lurks Beneath?
Here we are, rowing slowly
beneath the built-out decking
of the marina’s grill.
My brother claws into the tarry piling,
and our boat comes to rest.
Quietly pulling in the oars,
I peer into the waters
where sea monsters are said to roam.
Even as some errant strands of light
settle on our scruffy heads,
I see those mussel colored shadows:
baby sand sharks skim the bottom.
While I assess the situation,
my brother ties us to the piling,
then fills a bucket from the sea.
Careful not to drop it,
I lift up the gaff-hook
and lean over the boat’s side;
little chills run down my spine
when I feel the hook engage
something down below.
I pull up my catch in steady motion—
Wow!
We row into the sunshine,
and marvel at the color—
of our first starfish.
