This city
stone canyon, carved by cataract & fall
gradually eroding, breaking currents undercut its walls
calls a spawning, travelling winds
carry strange attractors where breeders swim
ancient, aimless-seeming patterns
of significance now lost.
Gathering from oceans beyond, they come
garbed in festive colors, speaking foreign tongues
not an army, but a mob
driven by biologic insistence, genetic recollections--oft´ mistaken dreams
fighting singly `gainst the flow forever pushing downward
urged, nest sheltered waters, breed.
In mighty flashing rainbow leaps the strongest
seeming swim to sky
frozen at mid-motion, sun smiling
shining recognition on their feat.
Many, missing water on re-entry
hit the bricks
lay there, stunned
hammered
bodies gasping.
Others die of hope along the way
colors faded, bloated bodies float
imitating motion
as waters bear them swiftly out to sea.
Earnest ones
persistent in vision, obedient to will
travail up barren city hills
where hungry predators await
a random winnowing of kills.
Someplace past these worried streets
where some are dying, some die trying, and others serve as meat
still pools invite survivors
love here, breed.
Laying eggs
they die there
weary, yet complete.
This City