(Taormina) (Sicilia 25)

there may be millions of us
but my guess is we’re harder everyday to catch.
sure, those among us with inflated gills
and fins all puffed up are
likely to be searching for lures anyway.

those less exotic of catches who hover
near the surface solely searching for any taste.
they want, really, to be caught.

but others are growing a little more skeptical
of the lights shining down on them.
they’re noticing a little clearer now
how some are scooped up, never to return.

just like the gene pool is somewhat tainted
so are our minds.
we’re no longer as gullible as once may have been thought.
so for the same reasons that the markets have change
so will the lines.
so will the hooks
simple. clear. noticeable.
and so will the sophisticated fishermen
with finders and vessels and bigger tanks
and tossed nets that reach for them.
there may be millions of us
and so we’ll always be caught.