In early hatcheries

the fry lived in a pool,

over which a dead cow’s

head was hung. The maggots

that devoured the cow’s head

dropped off in the water

and became salmon food.

This taught the baby fish

to wait for food to drop

from the sky. They lost their

instinct to fear shadows

of predators above.

Mothers, remember this

when you are preparing

to feed your little ones.

*

Biography

G.B. Ryan was born in Ireland and graduated from University College Dublin.  He is a ghostwriter in New York City.  Elkhound published his SURPRISED BY GULLS in May 2015.