The Crabs
Fishermen waking into a morning haze
That holds in solution the crystalline heat of the day Yawn in disgust. For the crabs on the seabed laze When the water is clear: to torpor not commerce a prey.
They sniff at the baited pots. They yawn to perceive The infusion of sun in the steaming water. And more Through indifference than hunger some of them shudder and heave, Finger and climb, stagger and tumble and claw.
Under the stin precipitate at noon The fisherman tugs the tearing bodies free, Involving their limbs in his packed baskets; that soon Are strung from the) riding boat in the clear sea. • The fishermen chatter and ride; the crabs are undone.
The baskets are emptied and stacked in which they were hid. The water warms in the polished saucepan; and one Reflecting reaches a casual claw at the lid.
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