Shark

by Samuel Tongue

Anti-cancer books are blooming all over the house
like those massive moon jellyfish blooms that block
water filtration systems in nuclear power plants:
Eat to Beat…How to Live with…How to Survive…How to Swim against the Tide –
and you’re telling me about the NHS massage session you’ve just had,
where the lass asked you to close your eyes and imagine a warm
sunny beach and you’re walking into the warm, clear water,
each step taking you in, deeper and deeper, warm around your ankles now,
your legs, your thighs, you’re up to your waist, sun on your back, deeper and deeper –
and I want to scream, “Shark! Shark! Look out! Shark! Get out! Get out! GET OUT!”