R-Bait


from the ABC set A BOY'S FACE WITH SWAN WINGS

Tense, dust-sprinkled, the surface
Gives, intruded by a hand.

The blue salamander, gripping
The pail's dark bottom, waits.

Even so, contained, he's waited,
Eyes upturned, quickening

At every motion. Downward,
Whitely, the hand searches--

He waits as though for morning.

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