STONE OF THE FISH
Sometimes
on the slip
of your tongue
or the well
of the kutsara
or maybe
on the ridge of the dry
gin glass
you will find it:
the bone of the fish
They say you should
be thankful
for its abnormal shape
and irregular curves
for it came to you
from the flesh of the fish
and it came to you
from the depths of the sea
and it came to you
on the current rushing
between these islands
like memory
It could have kept on swimming
could have kept right on going
but it chose your hook
or maybe your uncle’s or your son’s
who knows
perhaps the fish carried itself
and the bones and skin of its body
to your flame over the stones
of your house by the shore
your tongue feeling for stories
in the flavor of smoke and fire
Don’t worry
if you’re not sure
exactly what to do
the old people call it vatu nu amung
stone of the fish
and they say it brings luck
in an unusual way
From the chapbook, Stone of the Fish (Rosela Press, 2003)
Dorian Merina 