Salmon, Sea Lion, Ladder
by Sherman
Alexie
At the Ballard fish ladders, that clever sea lion waits
for the salmon to emerge. With fins tattered
by cement and water, the salmon are easy prey
for the sea lion who has learned to wait
for the largest fish, the most tattered
and bruised, and therefore the slowest prey
and most efficient meal. The sea lion waits
as patiently as water. Bloodied and tattered
by firecrackers, the sea lion, in love with easy prey,
refuses to be driven away. Alone, I wait
and watch as the sea lion chooses among the tattered
salmon. I cannot blame the sea lion, but I pray
for the salmon. How long will I wait
and watch the slaughter before I agree with the tattered
solution to allow that sea lion to become prey
for the local fishing tribe, who, collectively, wait
to relive some small part of their tattered
traditions? Late at night, Indians pray
for salmon and sea lion. The salmon cannot wait
for the sea lion to leave. No matter how tattered,
the salmon must continue. Do the salmon pray
as they feel the dark, inevitable weight
of the sea lion? Do the salmon understand the tattered
and thin difference between prayer and prey?
–
from
The Man
Who Loves Salmon
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