The First Catfish Speaks of Humans

I remember when they grew legs
and broke the top of the sky,

which bent for a moment
before folding back on itself.

I was slow then
as I am slow now

and knew nothing
of the scheming of the flesh;

hands, gutknife, cutboard.
I wish the world grew

empty when they left
but I fear it is empty

because they came back
and keep coming back,

because they had the gall
to lift themselves up

and press their naked bellies
against the heat of the sun.

— Martin Rock