Salmon

.

…out of an unremembered
                                              landscape
coming to the edge                
of a river
in the Inner Coast Range
Pahn sees     a ribbon of fish
migrating upstream

He wades in undressed
afraid of annoying
                                       the anglers on the bank
submerging his body
                                                 gently
the line of large fish
                                  bending away
as he swims into its path
               splitting         and scattering
               reforming     around him

their fins
and gills
           brushing by

their soft bodies
like children
climbing into his lap
          or friendly women
rubbing against his sides
         pushing
over his thighs
and stomach
as they     pass     through his presence

Immersed in their strong
and waving lives
enjoying their touch     
he floats                                          
mildly into them
        letting them pass over him

                                     and go on their way

.

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