Fishing in a dried-up river

Fish rescued as celebrated trout river runs dry

The Independent, 16 April 2012

The surface tension broke

and from the brook there sprang a rainbow

trout, every bit as amazed at this turn

as the dozing poacher who'd hooked it

to judge by the startled look on its face.

It thrashed on the line like a failing escapologist

lashed up in sequins from tail to gills.

Like those of his prize

the poacher's eyes were set

on the sides of his head, half mindful

not of the fight but preparing to flee

at first sight of the warden,

who would, if he caught him,

relieve him of the tools of his trade

and tackle him over a bribe for his trouble,

and tonight for his supper be steaming a trout.

(c) 2012 Slush Poet