Shapiro

III.

It’s not you. It’s what
I’ll do to you. And I can see it
even now, even clutching
at the air around your body, trying
to bring you closer. Once you get
deep enough so that water
swallows light, there are fish
who dangle iridescent lures
before their toothed mouths.
Now listen closely, darling.
Now follow my voice in the dark.
It’s not me. It’s the way
you’ll open for me, your mouth,
your legs, your raw
meat heart.



Ali Shapiro  //   Anglers