Greenish mesh of camouflaged skin,
Light on dark, esox lucius race,
Invisibility to prey built in,
Cocked torpedo in liquid space.

Cover blend ‘neath silvered ceiling,
Hides voracious predator waiting,
Spring-loaded S-shape, unfeeling,
Lightning fast ambush gestating.

Eyes that move in all directions
Allow tracking in slow motion,
Hovering — slow corrections — 
As prey wanders by on excursion.

Wide muzzle, double jointed hinge,
Tongue, small back angled spikes,
Jaw, heavily needled at fringe,
Efficient for lightning strikes.

Trigger preference will be sizable,
Prey too small is energy waste.
A third her length is realizable,
And all between, acquired taste.

Speaking of culinary taste,
Esox lucius is highly classified.
Excise bony strip as waste,
Batter fillets for treat, deep-fried.

And when there’s too much left,
Corn, potatoes in white sauce,
Spice chowder with light heft,
Pike’s the best I’ve run across.

Fishing for pike is lots of fun,
They aren’t a finicky fish,
They’ll grab a lure and run,
Striped spoons a favorite dish.

 “Hammer handles” — small pike —
Released, will grow up strong.
Large ones, tapered rocket-like,
Hook her — line sings a song.

Then she may slow and sulk,
Let you lead her boat-side,
But don’t put net to her bulk,
As she rolls her eyes alongside,

Don’t quickly heave her aboard,
If you value tackle and gear,
For she’ll be very ill-humored,
And blast it to yesteryear.

It’s best to just play along,
Lead her in figure eights,
‘Til she dives headlong,
Big flap — she accelerates.

And now the real fight starts,
Your resolve will be tested,
Hoping no frayed knot parts,
‘Til finally she relents, bested.

Old, in chowder she’d be savory,
If one likes the taste of dioxins,
Or the oily texture of mercury.
(Keep two-footers, avoid toxins.)

Ensure she’s breathing well,
After her exhausting war.
Swish her back and forth a spell —
This deserving gladiator.

She’ll slowly turn and swim away,
To rest and strength regain,
Ready to fight another day —
To pull like a runaway train.

© 2008 R. Leland Wald.rip