by John Montague

    The light， tarred skin

    of the currach rides

    and receives the current，

    rolls and responds to

    the harsh sea swell.

    Inside the wooden ribs

    a slithering frenzy； a sheen

    of black-barred silver-

    green and flailing mackerel：

    the iridescent hoop

    of a gasping sea trout.

    As a fish gleams most

    fiercely before it dies，

    so the scales of the sea-hag

    shine with a hectic

    putrescent glitter：

    luminous， bleached—

    white water—

    that light in the narrows

    before a storm breaks.