One Sick, Two Sick, Red Sick, Blue Sick
by Bill Yarrow
I found a diseased fish
wedged between
some boulders
near the pier
I pulled it out
its left white eye
well beyond compassion
its shrunken shank
nolo contendere
I held it in my hands
as if it were a gift
from a maniac
I cut it in half
with a delicate knife
I lifted the skin
I peeled it back
I peered under
and all was…
sarcoma sarcoma
melanoma melanoma
carcinoma carcinoma
sarco más mela no más
carci no más
sarcoma sarcoma
melanoma melanoma
carcinoma carcinoma
sarco más mela no más
carci no más
sarcoma sarcoma
melanoma melanoma
carcinoma carcinoma
sarco más mela no más
carci no más
I dropped it
It bubbled
stubbornly
among the rocks
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Author's Note
(after Elizabeth Bishop)
A version of this poem was published in the anniversary issue of Exact Change Only.
It was reprinted in Eunoia Review.
This poem appears in Incompetent Translations and Inept Haiku (Cervena Barva Press 2013).
"One Sick, Two Sick, Red Sick, Blue Sick" appears in THE VIG OF LOVE (Glass Lyre Press, 2016).
"well beyond compassion"
Oh, Lordy! Fav.
Such a great closing. Yes. Strong moment in the middle:
"I lifted the skin
I peeled it back
I peered under
and all was..."
Really like what you've done here, Bill. Wonderful piece.
Strong work, Bill.
Thanks, Jake, Sam, and Gary!
So good, Bill. Love this:
sarcoma
melanoma
carcinoma
sarco más
mela no más
carci no más
Appreciate your comment, Frankie. Thank you!