Kevin Gallagher
The Day No Fish Could Die
Gloucester, 1994
The only sounds
on the streetthat a human
ear can hearare last years’
leaves scratchingthe pavement
and empty cansrolling like logs
on a river.Cardinals disguised
as old autumnleaves glide
through lookingfor gray mice.
Alley catschase everything.
Spring wormsharbor on the side
of the road.The cardinals
bite with confidence,knowing there
are no hooks.