bat rays flew gracefully
through a saline sky
velvety soft skin in dark/light contrastive camouflage
stroking the water smoothly
as sleepy leopard sharks drifted downward
sandpaper spiracles allowing them to rest
cartilaginous shapes and fins from the
endless
movement others were doomed to repeat
he looked up and saw the swirling patterns
of sleek silver anchovy above him
schooling
presenting the classic behemoth visual to would-be predators
his eyes widened and he pressed
his small hand against the two and a half inches of acrylic separating his oxygen from the chilly salt water
while a sun star's tube feet caressed him
from the other side