A humpback whale
wrapped in
fishing nets,
a thousand nooses,
not thrashing
just
floating,
limp,
as though her fate
made her more sad
than mad.
A man
beside her,
an ant
on a tree,
the others in the boat
cut madly
at her entwined
sinking
hulk.
One quiet eye,
he touches her
gently,
a steady gaze
held
it seems
forever.
This once,
time does not run
out.
The men cry
and laugh
at the same time,
exhaustion
inflames
their skulls,
their raw hands.
She is free.
She knows this
and more,
she hoists her huge body up
in the warm air
over and over,
crashing down against the sea,
a dance
of life
and gratitude.